{"product_id":"p5921","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This is a Bizen sake cup by Mamoru Taku, a man acknowledged by himself and others as a clay enthusiast who continues to walk a path of endless research.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFired with an abundance of smoke, this piece features a profound, wabi-sabi kiln transformation centered around matured matte sesame ash glaze (kase-goma).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe most striking feature is undoubtedly the heavy, matte sesame glaze; with a yellowish base, the bluish-tinged ash glaze clings to the surface with a craggy texture, its color and weight instantly recognizable as the work of Taku-sensei.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe three \"nuke\" (uncovered areas) that emerge like spotlights show a clean, white clay body in the center, while the surrounding areas transition into a deep black or dark brown reminiscent of Ibe-te, creating shadows on this rock-like, substantial piece, accented by the spatula marks carved around the base.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.1cm x 6.8cm x Height 5.4cm\n\nMamoru Taku was born in Okayama Prefecture in 1952.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe studied the fundamentals of pottery at the Bizen Ceramic Center and honed his skills as an apprentice to Takaaki Kimura starting in 1980.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1983, he built an ascending kiln in the former Saeki-cho, Wake-gun, and became an independent artist after his first firing in November.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he relocated his studio to Takebe-cho, where he built a semi-underground anagama kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSpecializing in the research of clay, he creates a wide range of works including sake vessels, vases, and tea utensils, primarily focusing on hidasuki (fire-cord) techniques.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe has been selected for numerous exhibitions, including the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the China International Ceramic Exhibition, the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, and the Issuikai Ceramic Exhibition.","brand":"多久 守","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618017661025,"sku":"5921","price":16500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5921.jpg?v=1790231159","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p5921","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}