Inbe Syuhai

This is a brand-new Ibe sake cup, fresh from the kiln of Yoshinobu Morimoto, an artist with a superior aesthetic sense who constantly continues to evolve in his handling of clay, firing, and craftsmanship. While inheriting the characteristics of the Bizen style that Morimoto himself describes as "kaburimono" (covered ware), this piece is an Ibe-style work that has gained an even greater sense of gravitas through the addition of a coat of clay that differs from the base body. Despite being such "heavily armored" Ibe ware, the piece is not completely encased without a single opening; a "release," or shadows glimpsed from within, is firmly incorporated. In this piece, this is represented by the texture of the clay inside the cup and within the foot ring, where a light, warm brown hue—reminiscent of melting milk chocolate—is set against the bitter-chocolate-colored Ibe black surface. The refined form, backed by knowledge and techniques cultivated through the study of tea ceramics, is also magnificent, resulting in a work of profound depth that is quintessentially Morimoto. Signed box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 6.7cm x 6.0cm x Height 6.6cm Yoshinobu Morimoto was born in Okayama Prefecture in 1976. He completed the Bizen Pottery Center program in 1996. After working independently, he held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2004. Since then, he has held annual solo exhibitions nationwide, primarily in Tokyo. He was selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art "The Forms of Tea" exhibition in 2005, 2006, and 2007. In 2008, he exhibited at the "Contemporary Sake Cup Exhibition" at Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Tokyo. In 2009, he exhibited at the "Contemporary Tea Bowl Exhibition" at Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Tokyo. In 2010, he held a solo exhibition, "Yoshinobu Morimoto Special Feature," at Tenmaya in Okayama, among many other exhibitions held throughout the country.