Bizen Guinomi

This is a newly fired Bizen sake cup by Kousuke Kaneshige, the leader of the Kaneshige family and son of the great restorer of Bizen ware and Living National Treasure, the late Toyo Kaneshige. This piece showcases the exquisite charm of *haikaburi* (ash-covered) *yohen* (kiln transformation), featuring parts fired so intensely they have turned white, while also offering a variety of ash-covered hues across different sections. The surface, achieved simply by burying the piece in embers during firing, displays a remarkably colorful transformation that is endlessly captivating. The robust texture of the clay provides a solid foundation for the ash-glaze effects, beautifully preserving the delicate, characteristic colors of Bizen ware. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 6.6cm x 6.5cm x Height 6.2cm Kousuke Kaneshige is the third son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. He graduated from the Sculpture Department of Tokyo University of the Arts in 1968 and completed his master's degree in sculpture there in 1970. He began exhibiting his ceramic work in 1975, served as a lecturer at Tokai University, and returned to his hometown in 1977. He built his own climbing kiln in 1982. He creates objects, tea utensils, vases, tableware, and sake vessels. In 1991, he created the ceramic wall mural "Light and Wind" for the Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Building in Okayama. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1994. In 1997, his work was exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition, and he has held numerous solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Osaka, and other locations. In 2012, he was designated as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder.