Bizen Yunomi

This is an Ibe teacup (Hidari-uma/Left-facing Horse) by Michiaki Kaneshige, who was born as the eldest son of Toyo Kaneshige and captivated everyone with a style that incorporated his own unique sensibilities into tradition. This teacup was created to commemorate the time when Michiaki remodeled and rebuilt his small kiln in his later years. The "left-facing horse" is rendered in relief, and when held in the hand, one cannot help but imagine Michiaki carefully carving each piece one by one. It is a work typical of Michiaki, who grew up watching his father, Toyo, work as a master craftsman. Conversely, the firing results in a finish that can be called the roots of the "tsuchi-aji" (clay flavor) seen in the work of his eldest son, Gan, who is still active as a ceramic artist today; the soft orange hue, rather than a vivid scarlet, appears in a *katamigawari* (half-and-half) style, making it profoundly flavorful. It is a teacup with scenery that seems to combine the characteristics of three generations of the Kaneshige family. Signed wooden box (shiho-san) included
Diameter 8.1cm × Diameter 7.9cm × Height 8.9cm Michiaki Kaneshige (1934–1995) was born in Inbe as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. In 1955, he graduated from the Craft Department of Kanazawa College of Art. He studied under his father, Toyo, to become a ceramic artist. From 1957, he was selected for the Asahi Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition three consecutive times. He was also selected for the Nitten Exhibition, and in 1960, he toured various parts of the United States to observe ceramics. In 1969, he became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association and was awarded the Toyo Kaneshige Prize in 1970. In 1973, he was recommended as a committee member of the Issuikai Ceramics Department, received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1980, and in 1990, he was officially designated as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property. He excelled at tea ceremony ceramics and also worked on geometrically shaped bowls. He also exhibited his work in overseas exhibitions.