{"product_id":"p7309","title":"Bizen ware teacup","description":"This is a Bizen ware tea cup by the legendary Living National Treasure and great restorer of Bizen ware, Toyo Kaneshige.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nGiven that the potter's mark is a notably short \"To,\" it is believed to be a work from his final years, created in the late 1950s.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt uses high-quality clay, considered the finest in Bizen, carefully selected and refined; a portion rich in small stones and sand was used to create a pleasantly coarse, textured finish.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWith a soft, bright brownish base and a gentle reddish hue throughout, one can fully appreciate the exquisite quality of the legendary \"Kannon-do\" clay, considered the pinnacle of Bizen materials.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nStraw was placed in a cross pattern on the foot to prevent adhesion during firing, resulting in a striking and intense scarlet *hidasuki* (fire-cord) pattern that appears to blaze against the crisp, pale-toned clay.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile Toyo-sensei frequently produced large tea cups or *kumidashi*-style pieces, this work falls somewhere between the two; its unique form makes it interesting not only as a tea cup, but also as an extra-large *sakazuki* (sake cup) or even as a tumbler for spirits on the rocks.\n\nCertificate box to follow (please note that it will take some time to ship).\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.8cm x 7.8cm x Height 7.9cm\n\nToyo Kaneshige (1896–1967, born in Inbe, Bizen City) was the eldest son of the potter Baiyo Kaneshige, from a branch of the Kaneshige family, one of the six traditional Bizen pottery clans.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe began his craft under his father's tutelage and earned fame for his handmade *hohin* (teapots).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFrom the Taisho era through the early Showa era, he dedicated himself to research on kiln loading, firing techniques, and traditional clay preparation, successfully recreating the Momoyama-style Bizen aesthetic in 1930. From around 1932, he began using the potter's wheel and focused his efforts on creating tea ceremony ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe deepened his friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa, and after the war, his artistic range expanded through influences from Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe breathed new life into Bizen ware, which had declined from the Edo through the Meiji periods, and for this contribution, he is known as the \"Restorer of Bizen ware.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1954, he was recognized as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property holder, and in 1956, he became the first person to be designated a Living National Treasure for Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1964 and 1966, he was invited to serve as a lecturer for the summer session at the University of Hawaii.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1967, he performed a pottery demonstration before Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun during their visit to Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 1967.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and honors include: Chugoku Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.","brand":"金重陶陽","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618117177441,"sku":"7309","price":143000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7309.jpg?v=1790232515","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7309","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}