Bizen Guinomi

This Bizen sake cup dates from the Masamine period of Kakumi Juhō, a master who forged his own unique path after receiving tutelage from the giants of modern ceramic art. True to the style of a master who learned from legendary Bizen potters such as Toyo Kaneshige and Tōshū Yamamoto, this work is packed with the captivating qualities of *haikaburi* (ash-covered) *yōhen* kiln transformation. The thoroughly fired *haikaburi yōhen* surface glows with a mouse-gray luster, creating a magnificent contrast with the soft orange of the *nuke* (exposed areas). The form, shaped by the *shinogi* technique of scraping a thick, wheel-thrown body—a signature of Masamine—is also intriguing; the triangular silhouette, which seems to converge as it rotates, evokes a towering sacred peak, much like the "Mine" (peak) in his name. Original signed box (shiho-san)
Diameter 6.5cm × Body Diameter 6.4cm × Height 5.8cm After studying maki-e lacquerware under Jinsai Namba at the Okayama Prefectural School of Crafts (now Okayama Technical High School) starting in 1935, Kakumi Masamine entered the world of pottery after the war, deeply moved by the style of Toyo Kaneshige and subsequently receiving his guidance in creating hōhin (teapots). He also studied under Tōshū Yamamoto. Unconstrained by the boundaries of Bizen tradition, he created a diverse range of expressions, including "E-Bizen" and "Kinsai (gold-decorated) Bizen" which utilized his maki-e techniques, "Jōmon Bizen" featuring rope patterns on red clay without kiln effects, the intensely transformed "Oni Bizen," and works with the texture of Sue ware. He became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1969 and was designated as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property holder in 1980. He exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition in 1997. Skilled in painting, calligraphy, and tanka poetry, he published four anthologies of his work. Kazan Matsuda was his brother-in-law. He passed away in August 2017.
Awards: Recipient of numerous honors, including the Toyo Kaneshige Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Minister of Education Encouragement Award, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, and Miki Memorial Award. Served as a judge for the Prefectural Exhibition.