{"product_id":"p6200","title":"Bizen sake bottle","description":"This is a Bizen sake bottle by Sozan Kaneshige, a master potter who began his career as an assistant to his older brother, the legendary potter Toyo Kaneshige, and went on to create works beloved by many as a master craftsman of Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\nAlthough Sozan began working seriously in Bizen ware at his Maruyama kiln when he was in his mid-fifties, the original signed box and firing characteristics suggest this piece was created around the time he was sixty.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWith a distinctive form featuring a slightly longer neck compared to a \"katatsuki\" (shoulder-pressed) sake bottle, it stands with excellent posture; while not a \"tsurukubi\" (crane-neck) style, its straight, upright form exudes a sense of dignity.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt is a piece that reflects Sozan’s life, having spent half of it working as an assistant to his brother Toyo. Despite its dignified presence, it possesses a unique atmosphere that does not aggressively assert the artist's ego.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe combination of the slightly scorched yellow \"goma\" (sesame ash) glaze, which absorbed the smoke well within the kiln, and the earthy texture that glimmers in places creates a truly profound aesthetic.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhen left resting, it waits in silent contemplation, but once you draw it toward you, this magnificent sake bottle begins a slow yet eloquent conversation with you.\n\nOriginal signed box (shiho-san style)\u003cbr\u003e\nRim 3.9cm x Body diameter 9.1cm x Body diameter 9.0cm x Height 13.5cm, Capacity approx. 380cc\n\nSozan Kaneshige (1909–1995) was the younger brother of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige, and worked alongside him until around 1951.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFollowing that, he engaged in service activities for the Oomoto religion in Kyoto, where he also studied techniques outside of Bizen pottery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1964, he built an ascending kiln in Maruyama, Okayama City, and became independent.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1966, he perfected the \"hidasuki\" firing technique using an electric kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1982, he moved his studio to Inbe and built the Ushigamishita kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1983, he was certified as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 1995.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards include the Miki Memorial Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Award, the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.","brand":"金重素山","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618038698081,"sku":"6200","price":160000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6200.jpg?v=1790231341","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p6200","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}