Bizen Syuhai

This is a brand-new Bizen sake cup, fresh from the kiln by Yoshinobu Morimoto, an artist with a superior aesthetic sense who constantly continues to evolve in his work with clay, firing techniques, and form. This piece is in the Bizen style that Morimoto himself describes as "kaburimono" (layered/covered), where ash glaze (goma) and reduction firing (sangiri) overlap repeatedly to form a profound kiln-altered "garment." However, the true essence of this work lies not in that, but in the exquisite "nuke" (clear spaces) created during the firing process of that layered surface, with the superb shadows formed within the tightly fired, hardened clay being truly magnificent. It is not the "nuke" of soft-fired clay often seen in contemporary Bizen, but rather a pursuit of the tightly fired "nuke" that was truly present in the clay of ancient Bizen; by adding these layers and clear spaces to a rich, chocolate-like clay surface, he has completed a three-dimensional and dense texture. The profound layered surface born from this process is a masterpiece in its own right, and the wet-looking sangiri and yellow ash glaze, which appears as if it could be pinched and lifted, are also wonderful. Rather than aiming simply for intense firing or conversely just for a soft clay character, all elements are intricately intertwined to create an exquisite texture. Signed wooden box (shihozan) included
Diameter 7.1cm × 6.8cm × Height 5.5cm Yoshinobu Morimoto was born in Okayama Prefecture in 1976. He completed his studies at the Bizen Pottery Center 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's "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" in 2005, 2006, and 2007. In 2008, he exhibited at the "Contemporary Artists Sake Ware Exhibition" at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi in Tokyo. In 2009, he exhibited at the "Contemporary Artists Tea Bowl Exhibition" at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi in Tokyo. He has held solo exhibitions in various locations, including the "Yoshinobu Morimoto Special Feature" at Tenmaya in Okayama in 2010.