{"product_id":"p7224","title":"Bizen ware 8-sun bowl","description":"This is an eight-sun Bizen bowl by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, an artisan who created numerous masterpieces with peerless, god-like technical skills.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis bowl bears the potter's mark used during the artist's later years, after he had navigated the turbulent times following the start of his career and been designated a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe highly symmetrical and impeccably clean form is a testament to a master who spent his entire life facing the potter's wheel, and it is a pleasure to behold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile the style is refined, the bowl itself has a solid thickness and features an *abata-kodai* (pockmarked) foot, modeled after antique Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHowever, when light catches the surface, the fine spatula work emerges, revealing a level of meticulous scraping from the outer edge of the foot to the base of the rim that can only be described as masterful.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs for the *keshiki* (scenery), this eight-sun bowl showcases the intense firing characteristic of Toshu Yamamoto. Inside, three *botamochi* (mochi-like marks) created with fire-resistant clay are arranged, with the *hidasuki* (fire-cord) patterns cleverly applied to look almost like Sanskrit characters.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe underside offers a refreshing earth texture typical of white clay with low iron content, complemented by *hidasuki* markings. Though designed as tableware, its superb firing and form make it a piece one cannot help but gaze at indefinitely.\n\nOriginal signed wooden box (shiho-san style)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 26.5cm x 26.4cm x Height 5.3cm\n\nToshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Imbe, Bizen City) entered the world of pottery in 1921 and established his own kiln in 1933.\n\nHe later studied under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube to refine his skills.\n\nAfter the war, he deepened his friendships with figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi.\n\nKnown as \"Toshu of the Wheel,\" Yamamoto was renowned for his superior throwing technique and favored the creation of delicate, perfectly symmetrical works.\n\nHe was particularly passionate about creating tea caddies (*cha-ire*), establishing his reputation as a master of tea ceramics.\n\nIn 1987, he was designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property).\n\nIn 1992, he held the exhibition \"Journey of the Six Old Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards 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":46618101088353,"sku":"7224","price":99000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7224.jpg?v=1790232385","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7224","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}