{"product_id":"p6184","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This Bizen sake cup (guinomi) is the work of Takashi Soga, an artist who challenges the beauty of antiquity by recreating the same environment in which Old Bizen pottery was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo replicate the kiln-firing style of the Old Bizen period, he avoided the use of firebricks—which did not exist at the time—and instead fired this piece in a kiln made entirely of clay, where modern firing conventions do not apply.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe clay kiln itself acts as one massive piece of pottery, which is why this work transcends modern aesthetics, exhibiting a superb quality of clay that rivals that of Old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs one of Soga's early works, it possesses a charm distinct from the more subdued *hi-dasuki* (fire-cord) patterns often obscured by the clay textures found in his current pieces.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe *hi-dasuki* here remains vivid in color and carries a remarkably strong luster, giving the overall impression that only the scarlet portions of the fire-cord are wet.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn terms of the firing, the piece exhibits unique characteristics not found in newer works, typical of an all-clay kiln that changes with every firing; yet, in terms of texture, it consistently maintains the soft, worn-in feel characteristic of such kilns, possessing a gentleness that makes you want to keep touching the exposed clay surface.\u003cbr\u003e\n\nSigned wooden box to follow (please note that it will take some time before shipping).\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.5cm x 6.0cm x Height 5.6cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\nTakashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe began his apprenticeship under Jun Isezaki in 2009, and in 2012, he built his own all-clay kiln—constructed without firebricks—in Kuguiri, Bizen City.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became independent and began his career as a ceramic artist in 2013.","brand":"曽我 尭","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618037846113,"sku":"6184","price":16500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6184.jpg?v=1790231335","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p6184","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}