Bizen Choko

This is a newly fired Bizen yohen choko (sake/tea cup) by the popular young artist Yoshiteru Koriki, a former apprentice to the late master Sozan Kaneshige. This latest piece, from an early summer 2019 firing, is a magnificent cup featuring "kase-goma" (dry, crusty sesame-glaze), one of Koriki’s signature firing techniques. Both inside and out, the piece exhibits a brilliant scarlet hue that becomes even more beautiful when wet, perfectly capturing the captivating charm of Bizen ware, which is a joy both to use and to nurture. This scarlet color makes any beverage taste superior, while the warmth and subtle shifts in hue conveyed through the moist surface offer an unforgettable experience that differs significantly from porcelain. The kase-goma, which resembles the bark of a tree, adds a refined touch, creating a superb balance with the scarlet surface that never ceases to intrigue the viewer. Designed in the versatile soba-choko style, it is suitable for various uses, such as a shochu cup or a small teacup. Paper box
Diameter 7.8cm × 7.7cm × Height 6.8cm Yoshiteru Koriki was born in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture. Influenced by his pottery-loving father, he pursued a career in ceramics and, after graduating from high school, began studying under the master Sozan Kaneshige and his son Yuho in 1989. After seven years of training, he built his own climbing kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, in 1996 to strike out on his own, successfully firing it for the first time the following year. He held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2000 and has held annual exhibitions ever since. In 1999, his work was selected for the "Kita no Kashiki" (Northern Confectionery Vessels) exhibition, and in 2002, he was first selected for the "Chanoyu no Zokei" (Forms of Tea Ceremony) exhibition.