Bizen Yohen Hisago Tokkuri

This Bizen *yohen* (kiln-transformed) gourd-shaped sake flask is the work of Kazuki Nakamura, an artist who carries on the lineage of the master sake vessel craftsmen Rokuro Nakamura and Makoto Nakamura to create works of profound depth. While upholding the tradition of these masters, this flask is unmistakably Kazuki's own, imbuing the style with a unique character that distinguishes it from that of his father and grandfather. Departing from the Nakamura family's customary focus on *hiiro* (scarlet) clay textures, this piece is defined by an intensely fired and dramatic *haikaburi* (ash-covered) *yohen* glaze. The *haikaburi* is fired to the point of rugged, raised ridges, a magnificent effect that shifts into a leaden, metallic luster in places, casting a dull glow. In the unglazed areas, the Nakamura family's signature scarlet has vanished, replaced by sharp, striking markings that give the piece a very refined, austere aesthetic. The alluring form, inherited from Rokuro Nakamura, is another compelling feature; the exquisite tilt of the neck and the flask's overall presence are enough to serve as a companion to the sake itself. Signed wooden box (double-slatted)
Rim 3.0cm x Body 11.2cm x Body 11.1cm x Height 13.0cm; Capacity approx. 300cc Kazuki Nakamura was born in 1980 as the eldest son of Makoto Nakamura. After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Okayama University in 2003, he studied under his grandfather and father to hone his pottery skills. He fired his first kiln and became independent in 2006.