Bizen Guinomi

This is a new Bizen sake cup by the popular young artist Yoshiteru Kouriki, an apprentice of the master Sozan Kaneshige. A fine piece from the early summer 2019 kiln opening, it features a striking combination of tree-bark-like matte sesame glaze (kase-goma) and vivid scarlet. Among Kouriki’s works, known for their diverse scenery and earthy qualities, this piece is a popular style that pairs an orange, persimmon-like clay texture with tasteful matte sesame glazing. The soft, low-fired clay absorbs sake upon use, transforming into a lush, ripe fruit-like hue for the owner to enjoy. The mellow, balanced form, crafted with a relaxed potter's wheel technique, pairs perfectly with the soft scarlet to ensure a wonderful user experience. Among the many variations produced in an anagama kiln, this sake cup features scenery that is highly receptive to change and development through use. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 6.8cm x 6.7cm x Height 5.6cm Yoshiteru Kouriki was born in Ako, Hyogo Prefecture. Influenced by his father’s love of ceramics, he aspired to pursue pottery and, after graduating from high school, studied under the master Sozan Kaneshige and his son Yuho Kaneshige starting in 1989. After seven years of training, he built his own anagama kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, in 1996 and debuted with a successful first firing the following year. He held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2000 and has held annual solo exhibitions ever since. In 1999, his work was selected for the "Exhibition of Confectionery Bowls I Would Like to Use," and in 2002, he was selected for the "Chanoyu Modeling Exhibition" for the first time.