{"product_id":"p5834","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This Bizen sake cup is an earlier work by the brilliant and eccentric artist Juroku Harada, who was famously called \"a formidable talent\" by the great Bizen scholar Matasaburo Katsura, with whom he conducted research on old Bizen. The included ceramic history dates to 2002, suggesting it was crafted between 2003 and 2007. It features a profound form instantly recognizable as a Harada work, adorned with a bold, vibrant blue sesame glaze. The rich clay quality, infused with the knowledge and techniques cultivated through his research into old Bizen, is exquisite. In the interior, one can see an intensely deep shiso-purple hue that goes beyond a mere shimmer, appearing almost metallic. The intensity of the clay is quite striking; the viscous deep purple is so vivid it creates the illusion that it might dissolve into the sake itself. The matte \"kase\" sesame glaze, which clings tightly to the clay surface, is also magnificent, with a brilliant blue that holds its own against the deep purple. The molding, achieved through the coil-building technique, possesses an overwhelming presence. While Juroku usually favors a circular, raised foot, this piece features a tall, commanding foot reminiscent of a *bajohai* (mounted cup). It has a remarkable, rock-like presence in the palm, yet it remains light enough to be perfectly functional as a sake cup. (This is an unused item, carefully stored without being opened since its initial purchase as new.)\n\nSigned box (four-way mitered corners)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 8.0cm x Diameter 6.9cm x Height 7.8cm\n\nJuroku Harada began his pottery career in 1969 after working for a company following his graduation from Meiji University. He built an *ana-gama* (tunnel kiln) in 1971 and a climbing kiln the following year to begin his full-scale ceramic production. Starting in 1975, he studied old Bizen under the guidance of the old Bizen researcher Matasaburo Katsura, visiting ancient kiln sites. In 1991, he built an *ana-gama* on Amidayama in Ushimado, producing jars, tea utensils, and leaf-shaped plates. He focuses primarily on hand-coiling, though he also utilizes the potter's wheel for some works. He has held solo exhibitions in various locations, including Tokyo and Osaka. In 1983, he held a two-person exhibition at the National Museum of Ethnology in Australia with Kenji Funaki of Fushina ware. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2000. In 2002, he exhibited at the opening commemorative exhibition of the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, where his work was added to their permanent collection. In 2005, his work was acquired by the New Orleans Museum of Art in the United States.","brand":"原田拾六","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618690682977,"sku":"5834","price":50000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5834.jpg?v=1790240595","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p5834","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}