{"product_id":"p6448","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This Bizen sake cup is by the Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, a master who created numerous masterpieces with peerless, god-like technical skill.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece bears the potter's mark from his later years, after Toshu—who began his career as a craftsman—navigated turbulent times to be designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe extremely symmetrical and refined form is a pleasure to behold, reflecting the expertise of a master who spent his life facing the potter's wheel.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFeaturing a bright, distinctively white clay body accented with a very delicate gold glaze, it possesses the light, clean aesthetic characteristic of Toshu's work from this period.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe back displays the black \"sesame\" ash glaze (kuro-goma) resulting from the intense firing typical of Toshu's style, with the matte, textured ash glaze perfectly complementing the aforementioned clay body.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nJudging by the box inscription, potter's mark, and style, this is a piece from his final years, yet the swift and precise trimming of the foot shows no signs of age; it is evident that his body had deeply internalized his craft, transcending mere logic or technique.\n\nOriginal box (Shiho-zan style) included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.9cm x 6.9cm, Height 5.6cm\n\nToshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Imbe, Bizen City) entered the world of pottery in 1921 and established his own kiln in 1933.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nLater, he honed his skills under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter the war, he deepened his friendships with figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nKnown as \"Toshu of the Wheel,\" he possessed exceptional potter's wheel skills and preferred creating delicate, symmetrical works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was particularly dedicated to the creation of tea caddies (cha-ire), establishing his position as a master of tea ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1987.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1992, he held the exhibition \"Journey of the Six Old Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto Exhibition.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards include the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Culture Award, Mainichi Art Award, Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618052591713,"sku":"6448","price":90000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6448.jpg?v=1790231540","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p6448","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}