Inbe Hisago Tokkuri

This is a new Ibe gourd-shaped sake bottle from the new kiln of Yuho Kaneshige, a potter who, despite being part of the Kaneshige lineage, constantly questions himself and creates works not as "Yuho Kaneshige" but simply as the potter, Yuho. The piece was fired in a newly designed "tsuchigama" (earth kiln)—a wood-firing kiln made entirely of clay without the use of firebricks—representing a fusion of the Kaneshige firing technique with this unique kiln. Among his recent works, this piece features a near-plain surface that Master Yuho himself is most fond of; it is a sake bottle made from high-quality Bizen clay, which he prides as the finest available, fired at an exquisite temperature. The fineness of the surface texture is beyond words; while perhaps an unusual comparison for pottery, it has the texture of "daifuku mochi" (a soft rice cake), so remarkably smooth that one might mistakenly feel as though powder would rub off onto their fingers. The form of the gourd, structured from the perspective of Master Yuho—who does not drink alcohol and pours his heart into tea ceramics—is also fascinating, possessing the versatile character of a single-flower vase, a hanging vase, a sake bottle, or a tea utensil container. Signed wooden box (shiho-zan construction)
Rim 2.9cm x Body 9.9cm x 9.9cm x Height 11.9cm, Capacity approx. 360cc Master Yuho Kaneshige was born the third son of Intangible Cultural Property holder, Master Sozan Kaneshige. He began studying pottery techniques under his father in 1975. In 1980, he became independent and held his first solo exhibition in Okayama. He creates tableware with a focus on tea ceramics such as tea bowls, water jars, and flower vases. With tea bowls, which he particularly loves, he emphasizes the interior structure (mikomi) while pursuing balance on the exterior. He has received the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the Prefectural Exhibition, the Encouragement Award at the Exhibition of Tea Ceremony Forms, and the Tanko Biennale Encouragement Award. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2003. He is also dedicated to his solo exhibitions, which are held at various locations.