{"product_id":"p7435","title":"Bizen ware water dropper, lion head","description":"This Bizen water dropper in the shape of a lion head is by Hikaru Shimamura, an artist who inherits the genre of Bizen pottery ornaments—a tradition stretching back to ancient times—with his own unique sensibility and creativity.\u003cbr\u003e\nRather than a realistic, guardian-dog style lion often seen in common lion figurines, this piece is a cute lion that makes you smile, reminiscent of traditional Okinawan Shisa.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTrue to the spirit of Shimamura-sensei, who seeks to reignite the near-extinct tradition of Bizen ornaments, he has masterfully crafted a \"water dropper,\" a form that has been handled by countless great masters throughout history.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter being cast in a plaster mold, the details were finished with a spatula; despite its palm-sized scale, it is packed with the techniques of a master, from the relief-carved fangs and teeth to the ridges of the cheeks and forehead.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe high level of Shimamura-sensei’s skill is evident not only in his spatula work on the ornament, but also in the precise calculations applied during firing to enhance the design, with this piece finished with just the right amount of sesame (goma) glaze to match the lion's design.\n\nOriginal wooden box (with four-way mitered corners)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.3cm x 6.0cm x Height 4.5cm\n\nHikaru Shimamura was born in Osafune-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture in 1942.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe graduated from the Department of Painting at Naniwa Junior College (now Osaka University of Arts Junior College) in 1962.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nLater, he became fascinated by Bizen pottery ornaments and entered the world of ceramics in 1975.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe built an anagama kiln in Osafune-cho to become independent in 1978, and built his current climbing kiln in Kuku-i in 1992.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2013, he was certified as a holder of the Bizen pottery production technique designated by Bizen City as an Intangible Cultural Property, and in 2019, he was certified as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property designated by Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2024, he received the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe has held solo exhibitions in various locations, including Tokyo, Okayama, and New York.","brand":"島村 光","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618171179105,"sku":"7435","price":49500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7435.jpg?v=1790232707","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7435","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}