{"product_id":"p7177","title":"Korean-style Karatsu sake bottle","description":"This is a Chosen-Karatsu sake bottle by Sozan Kaneshige, 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 of Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is a crane-neck sake bottle in the Chosen-Karatsu style, crafted by Sozan in 1978 at the Chikuzen Sue Kiln of Moritoshi Tokuzawa in Fukuoka Prefecture, with glazing and firing by Tokuzawa.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAlthough Sozan continued to produce Karatsu-style works periodically thereafter, his work in the Chosen-Karatsu style was almost exclusively limited to this 1978 production, making this a highly valuable piece.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe way the straw-ash glaze—the very life of Chosen-Karatsu—flows is exquisite; it runs down in a single sweep from the sharp, elegantly stretched neck to the body, unfolding into a glaze landscape reminiscent of a weeping willow.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe glaze texture on the thick rim is equally magnificent, with the bluish-white straw-ash glaze flowing as if peeling away, revealing a glimpse of the coarse, high-quality Karatsu clay beneath.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe iron glaze appears to have run down to the circular foot and fused entirely with the kiln shelf, but it has been meticulously polished over a significant amount of time to preserve its masterful form and stunning landscape.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs it is used, the sake will permeate the vessel, making the crackle in the straw-ash glaze stand out clearly. Combined with its beautiful glaze texture and powerful form, it will surely mature into a work of indescribable antique dignity.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san style)\u003cbr\u003e\nRim diameter 5.0cm x Body diameter 8.7cm x Body diameter 8.6cm x Height 17.8cm; Capacity approx. 300cc\n\nSozan Kaneshige (1909–1995) was the younger brother of Bizen ware Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige, and they worked together until around 1951.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfterward, he dedicated himself to service at the Oomoto religious organization in Kyoto, where he also studied techniques outside of Bizen pottery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1964, he became independent, building an ascending kiln in Maruyama, Okayama City.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1966, he perfected the firing of Hidasuki (fire-cord) patterns 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 designated as a Holder of 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, Fourth Class.","brand":"金重素山","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618092798049,"sku":"7177","price":220000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7177.jpg?v=1790232314","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7177","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}