{"product_id":"p7246","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This is a Bizen sake cup by the Living National Treasure, Toshu Yamamoto, a master who created numerous masterpieces with peerless, god-like skills.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis sake cup features the maker's mark from his later years, after Toshu—who began his career as a craftsman—navigated turbulent times and was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of 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 at the potter's wheel, and it is a pleasure to behold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe clay, which is remarkably bright with a strong white hue, is covered in a very thin layer of gold gilding, giving the entire piece the intriguing appearance of being coated in platinum.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nBeyond the gilding, the piece is imbued with a variety of kiln transformations across its surface, such as the *sangiri* (reduction firing) with its frozen, icy color palette and the *goma* (ash glaze) resembling rugged rock faces.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nJudging from the box inscription, the potter's mark, and the style, this is a work from his final years, yet the swift and precise trimming of the foot reveals no signs of age; it is clear that his body had deeply internalized the craft, transcending mere logic and technique.\u003cbr\u003e\n\nOriginal box (with *shihozan* bracing)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.5cm × 6.3cm × Height 5.5cm\u003cbr\u003e\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 polished his skills under the guidance of Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter the war, he deepened his friendships with artists such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nKnown as \"Toshu of the Wheel,\" he excelled in wheel techniques and preferred creating delicate, symmetrical pieces.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was particularly passionate about creating tea caddies (*cha-ire*), establishing his reputation as a master of tea ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1987, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government.\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 Cultural Award, Mainichi Art Award, Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618105479265,"sku":"7246","price":88000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7246.jpg?v=1790232419","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7246","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}