{"product_id":"p7528","title":"Bizen-Ibe Katakuchi Sake Cup","description":"This is a newly fired Bizen Ibe-te katakuchi sake cup by Mamoru Taku, a man widely recognized as a soil enthusiast who continues his endless journey of research.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis latest work was just removed from the kiln in October 2024 and is a piece belonging to the so-called \"Ibe-te\" style, in which a clay with a different composition than that of the main body is applied to the surface.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMr. Taku packs his kiln with careful consideration for the flow of fire during firing, positioning the piece so that the flames linger and touch only the top portion, creating a distinct visual separation between the sesame glaze (goma) and the black Ibe-te finish.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe upper portion features a rich, natural ash glaze that has transformed into a yellow sesame glaze with a pale blue hue, while finer ash particles have settled into the interior, creating a smooth, mustard-colored yellow sesame finish.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nBelow the rim, one can enjoy the lustrous black of the Ibe-te style, with interesting, exquisite gradations created by the density of the applied clay and the intensity of the flames.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAround the foot and waist, the amount of applied clay has been significantly reduced to allow the original characteristics of the base clay to shine through, allowing one to appreciate the foot in a manner similar to \"tsuchimise\" (showing the clay).\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.8cm × 7.2cm × Height 4.6cm\n\nMamoru Taku was born in Okayama Prefecture in 1952.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe studied the fundamentals of pottery at the Bizen Ceramic Center and honed his skills under Takaaki Kimura starting in 1980.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1983, he built a climbing kiln in the former Saeki-cho, Wake District, and fired his first kiln in November of that year to launch his career as an independent artist.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he moved his studio to Takebe-cho and built a semi-underground anagama (tunnel kiln).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSpecializing in the research of clay, he creates a wide range of works including sake vessels, flower vases, and tea utensils, with a focus on hi-dasuki (fire-cord) techniques.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis work has been selected for numerous exhibitions, including the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the China International Ceramic Exhibition, the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, and the Issuikai Ceramic Exhibition.","brand":"多久 守","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618190413921,"sku":"7528","price":16500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7528.jpg?v=1790232853","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7528","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}