Saishiki Bizen Guinomi

This is a newly fired polychrome Bizen sake cup by Anjin Abe, an artist with profound insight into antique pottery and an aesthetic sense that allows him to create one-of-a-kind works through his unique research and firing methods. A commanding Blue Fuji is depicted in a powerful composition against a vivid red background, with the outline of the mountain traced in gold leaf, once again showcasing Abe's superior compositional skills. The gold leaf on this piece is exceptionally brilliant, shining like polished gold and blending beautifully with the Bizen clay surface and the pictorial world. The back and interior feature rich, flowing yellow "goma" (sesame) glaze like a waterfall, a firing technique that has long impressed fans of antique Bizen and provides enjoyment from every angle. This piece also incorporates the master's characteristic playfulness, featuring a dragonfly on the back and a detail resembling a treble clef. Signed wooden box to follow later
Diameter 6.1cm × Diameter 5.7cm × Height 5.8cm Anjin Abe was originally a Western-style painter. He began collecting pottery as a hobby, but finding contemporary Bizen ware unsatisfying, he started practicing ceramics in 1972 to create pieces he could be truly satisfied with. He frequently creates water jars, flower vases, flattened flasks, bowls, sake bottles, and sake cups, all wheel-thrown and finished with a spatula. His work is rooted in Momoyama-period antique Bizen, and he is particularly meticulous about his firing processes. He also engages in diverse expressive activities, presenting mixed-media works that combine various materials and techniques, such as ceramics, lacquer, oil painting, and bronze. He holds solo exhibitions energetically both in Japan and abroad, including in Tokyo, Osaka, New York, and Paris.