{"product_id":"p6178","title":"Bizen Gourd-Shaped Sake Bottle","description":"This is a Bizen gourd-shaped sake flask by Rokuro Nakamura, a traditional craftsman whom Bizen prides itself on and who was hailed as the god of sake vessel making.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece dates from the later years of Nakamura's life, likely created when he was around 80 years old.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt features the contrast of scarlet and green that allows one to recognize a Rokuro piece at a glance; the scarlet, which has been fired to a particularly mellow finish, and the strikingly astringent green sesame glaze are so inviting that they seem sure to make the sake flow endlessly.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe scarlet, in particular, is of an outstanding hue that can be called the true pleasure of Rokuro Bizen. The already deeply flavorful color transforms into an even more melting shade when moistened by sake, exuding an irresistible allure that provides endless enjoyment.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile Rokuro is famous for the bag-like form known as the *henko* (flat flask), he was also highly skilled in creating gourd-shaped flasks like this one. His mature ceramic technique, such as adding indentations to the top and pressing the body with his fingers to create a unique slope, shows that his artistry not only failed to decline in his later years but rather exploded with charm.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAnother characteristic feature is the area around the *abata* (pitted) foot, which is also intriguing; he used a spatula to trace a gentle hexagonal shape, giving the vessel a dignified posture despite its flat bottom.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt pours with virtually no sound, delivering the sake firmly and steadily, truly a piece reflective of Nakamura's own legendary love for sake.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThere are no noticeable signs of use or stains.\n\nOriginal signed box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nRim 3.1cm x Body diameter 10.3cm x Body diameter 9.9cm x Height 12.2cm. Capacity approx. 250cc\n\nRokuro Nakamura was born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, in 1914.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe worked as a company employee until the end of the war, but later received instruction from Toyo Kaneshige, from whom he mastered kiln-firing techniques.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe subsequently established his own Rokuro Kiln in 1961.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1986, he was certified as a traditional craftsman and received the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Award the same year.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1989, he was awarded the Order of the Blue Paulownia Leaves in the spring decorations.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe primarily created sake vessels, as well as flower vases and tea utensils, with his sake vessels, in particular, garnering great popularity among pottery enthusiasts.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in April 2004.","brand":"中村六郎","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618037518433,"sku":"6178","price":380000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6178.jpg?v=1790231332","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p6178","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}