Bizen Henko Tokkuri

This Bizen flattened sake bottle (hen-ko tokkuri) dates to the Seimine period of Kakimi Seimine, a master who forged his own unique path after being mentored by the giants of modern ceramics. It is a work that thoroughly captures the fascinating qualities of *haikaburi* (ash-covered) kiln transformation, characteristic of Seimine, who received personal instruction from such renowned Bizen potters as Kaneshige Toyo and Yamamoto Toshu.
The rich, viscous ash glaze displays stunning *kumadori* (shaded) patterns, and together with the brilliant *nuke* (unfired patches) that seem to capture the sun, the piece offers a concentrated view of the wonders of wood-firing. The form is a creative take on the flattened bottle shape that was a specialty of Kaneshige Toyo; it features *kushime* (comb patterns) and a lozenge-shaped body inherited from Kaneshige, beautifully matched with the double-lug handles that were Seimine's signature touch. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Mouth diameter 3.6cm x Body diameter 10.3cm x Body diameter 9.3cm x Height 11.7cm, Capacity approx. 330cc Kakimi Seimine (1935–2017) began by studying *maki-e* lacquerware under Namba Jinsai at the Okayama Prefectural Industrial School (now Okayama Industrial High School). After the war, inspired by the style of Kaneshige Toyo, he received guidance on crafting *hohin* (teapots) and entered the world of ceramics. He also studied under Yamamoto Toshu. Unbound by the traditional framework of Bizen ware, he created a diverse range of expressions, including "e-Bizen" (painted Bizen) and "kinsai-Bizen" (gold-decorated Bizen) utilizing his *maki-e* techniques, "jomon-Bizen" (cord-marked Bizen) featuring red surfaces without kiln changes, the intensely transformed "oni-Bizen," and works with the textures of Sueki pottery. In 1969, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association, and in 1980, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture. In 1997, he exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. He was also skilled in painting, calligraphy, and *tanka* poetry, having published four collections of his poems. Matsuda Kazan was his brother-in-law. He passed away in August 2017.
Awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Sanyo Shimbun Prize, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fifth Class, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, and the Miki Memorial Prize, among many others. He also served as a juror for the prefectural exhibition.