Bizen Tokkuri

This Bizen sake bottle is by Living National Treasure Yu Fujiwara, an artist who expanded his vision beyond Japan to share the appeal of Bizen ware with the world. It features a relatively large potter's mark on the lower body, suggesting it dates from his early to middle period. While Master Yu is famous for his moss-green *kase-goma* (dry sesame glaze), this work exhibits a full-body *haikaburi* (ash-covered) kiln transformation, created by being buried in embers during firing, resulting in a piece with an exceptionally rare aesthetic. Much like a *katamigawari* (split-body) design, yellow sesame glaze appears on one side of the piece, creating a stunning contrast between the black of the ash-covered transformation and the yellow of the sesame glaze. Elsewhere, the piece displays the deep, dignified *shiso* (perilla) color common to his later works, while the *botamochi* (mochi-like mark) created by fire-resistant clay forms a "nuke" (clear area) that looks as if flames are emerging, providing a magnificent accent within the intense scenery. This is a rare and valuable kiln-transformed piece by Master Yu. Original signed wooden box (shiho-zan style)
Rim 3.9cm × Body diameter 9.7cm × Body diameter 9.6cm × Height 11.7cm, Capacity approx. 350cc Master Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001, born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the eldest son of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara. His motto for pottery was "simple, clear, and bold," and he was known as "Yu of the Jars" for the many jars and bowls he created. Influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji, he was also adept at tableware. Starting in 1972, he held a series of thematic exhibitions, including the "100 Jars Exhibition," "Tokkuri (Sake Bottle) Exhibition," "100 Flowers Exhibition," and "100 Bowls Exhibition." He also produced numerous large-scale reliefs and objects. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1967. In 1980, he was designated as a holder of an important intangible cultural property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1996, he became the first person in the history of the ceramics world to be designated as a nationally recognized important intangible cultural property holder (Living National Treasure) following his father.
Major awards include the Toyo Kaneshige Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award and Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts, Academia Art and Culture Grand Prize, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.