{"product_id":"p6863","title":"Bizen sake bottle","description":"This is a Bizen sake flask by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, an artist known for his incomparable, god-like technical skill and for creating numerous masterpieces.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis flask bears the mark used by Toshu-sensei during his later years, after he had begun his career as an artisan and had been designated as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture following the turbulent years of his early life.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe flask features a perfectly symmetrical and exceptionally refined form that is a pleasure to behold, reflecting the mastery of a man who spent his entire life working at the potter's wheel.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFired using the techniques of the ancient Bizen period, the piece was subjected to an intense firing process using not only split red pine but also miscellaneous woods like sawtooth oak, causing the *goma* (ash glaze) to transform into the distinctive greenish-gold hue characteristic of the Yamamoto school.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe piece also displays another hallmark of the Yamamoto school: a natural black surface texture, creating a spectacular visual effect that showcases a dreamlike contrast between gold and black.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe result of the intense firing is also evident in the *tsuchiaji* (clay texture), which exhibits a golden sheen that looks like a rainbow cutting through purple-hued sunset clouds.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a master of the wheel, Toshu-sensei’s flask bodies are typically near-perfect circles without distortion; however, in this piece, which underwent an intense firing, the body has deformed into an oval shape by about 3–4 mm—a testament to the invisible battle between the fierce flames and the master’s wheel-throwing skill.\n\nOriginal signed box (shiho-san style)\u003cbr\u003e\nRim 3.6cm × Body diameter 9.8cm × Body diameter 9.5cm × Height 14.2cm; Capacity: approx. 530cc\n\nToshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Inbe, Bizen City) entered the world of pottery in 1921 and established his own kiln in 1933.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe later studied under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube to hone his craft.\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,\" Yamamoto-sensei was renowned for his superior throwing technique and favored creating delicate, perfectly symmetrical works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was particularly passionate about creating tea caddies (*cha-ire*), cementing 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 \"Travels Through the Six Old Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and honors include: Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Mainichi Art Award, Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618067894369,"sku":"6863","price":150000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6863.jpg?v=1790231936","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p6863","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}