Bizen Houou Guinomi

This is a new Bizen phoenix sake cup by Koji Nakahara, who studied under Fumio Kawabata and aims to create works that suit modern life. It is a highly unique sake cup that reflects Mr. Nakahara's style, as he often says that his production speed cannot keep up with his ideas. The foot of the sake cup forms the face of a phoenix, with the top of the head and its large decorative feathers serving as the contact points with the surface. The body of the cup also features engraved feather-like designs, showcasing the meticulous and flawless craftsmanship typical of Mr. Nakahara. The entire piece has a blue Bizen-style finish achieved through reduction firing, with the mystical blue-gray and silver hues perfectly complementing the phoenix form. Signed wooden box (shihozan)
Diameter 7.1cm × 6.3cm × Height 7.8cm Koji Nakahara was born in Osaka Prefecture in 1978. He graduated from the advanced course at Nara College of Arts in 2000 and from the Bizen Ceramic Center in 2001. In the same year, he began his apprenticeship under Fumio Kawabata, and in 2007, he joined the Kaneshige Ritoen kiln. Since then, he has actively exhibited his work at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and various public exhibitions. He is currently an associate member of the Japan Kōgei Association.