Bizen Choku

This is a new Bizen sake cup, fresh from the kiln, by Yoshinobu Morimoto—a master with an exceptional aesthetic sense who continues to evolve in his mastery of clay, firing, and craftsmanship. In what Morimoto refers to as his "kaburimono" (layered glaze/covering) style of Bizen, layers of *goma* (ash glaze) and *sangiri* (charcoal firing effects) overlap to form a rich, profound kimono of kiln-altered surfaces. However, the true essence of this piece lies not in those layers, but in the exquisite "nuke" (clear, unglazed patches) that emerge during the firing process; the contrast created within the hard-fired, tightly vitrified skin is magnificent. Rather than the soft "amiyaki" (under-fired) nuke often seen in contemporary Bizen, Morimoto pursues the firm, well-fired nuke found in antique Bizen. By adding these layers and nuke to a rich, chocolate-like clay body, he has completed a piece with a dense, three-dimensional texture. Building on the aesthetic sensibility and sculptural technique honed through the creation of tea ceramics, and supported by his profound knowledge of the Way of Tea and antique pottery, this sake cup exudes an extraordinary allure and presence. This conveniently sized cup is versatile enough to be used as a teacup, a small serving bowl, or a shochu cup. No box
Diameter 8.8cm x 8.5cm x Height 7.3cm 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 solo exhibitions annually, primarily in Tokyo and across Japan. He was selected for the Tanabe Art Museum's "Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition" in 2005, 2006, and 2007. In 2008, he exhibited at the "Contemporary Sake Ware Exhibition" at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo. In 2009, he exhibited at the "Contemporary Tea Bowl Exhibition" at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo. He continues to hold solo exhibitions throughout Japan, including the "Yoshinobu Morimoto Feature" at Tenmaya, Okayama, in 2010.