{"product_id":"p6628","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This is a Bizen sake cup by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, an artist known for his incomparable, god-like technical skill and the creation of numerous masterpieces.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece features the potter's mark from the later years of his career, after he had progressed from his beginnings as a craftsman through turbulent times to being designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe perfectly symmetrical, refined form is a delight to behold, characteristic of a master who spent his entire life working at the potter's wheel.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSlightly smaller than most of Toshu's sake cups, it possesses an elegant and quiet presence.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt features a \"kase-yohen\" (matte kiln-transformation) effect, with a balanced combination of *kase-goma* (matte sesame ash) and *haikaburi-yohen* (ash-covered kiln-transformation). It offers the joy of watching the colors shift when wet with sake, while also providing the pleasure of \"nurturing\" the piece as the soft texture evolves over time.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe interior reveals a spread of the *hi-iro* (scarlet) clay body that is a true hallmark of the *kase* style, serving as a highlight that holds its own against the magnificent firing effects on the exterior.\n\nOriginal signed box (shiho-zan)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter: 6.5cm x 6.3cm, Height: 5.1cm\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\nHe later refined his skills under the guidance of 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 was renowned for his superior throwing technique and favored the creation of delicate, perfectly symmetrical works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was particularly dedicated to the creation of tea caddies, establishing his status as a master of tea ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1987, he was designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1992, he held the exhibition \"Journey of the Six Old Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto.\" \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards: Okayama Prefectural 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, Honorary Citizen of Bizen City","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618058621025,"sku":"6628","price":120000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6628.jpg?v=1790231698","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p6628","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}