{"product_id":"p7900","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This is a Bizen sake cup by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, an artist known for his unparalleled, god-like mastery and creator of numerous masterpieces.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis sake cup features the pottery seal used by Toshu during his later years, after he had begun his career as a craftsman and, following a tumultuous era, was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe vessel is remarkably symmetrical and elegantly crafted—a testament to a master who spent his entire life at the potter's wheel—and is a delight to behold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nUtilizing the Yamamoto family's unique firing method, which combines mixed woods with red pine, the piece displays a deep greenish \"sesame\" (goma) glaze throughout, offering a scenery where one can enjoy both the intense power of the flames and the aesthetic of wabi-sabi, characteristic of Toshu's work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe texture of the clay is as distinct as the firing itself, with the \"nuke\" (clear patch) on the front producing a vivid metallic gold sheen, as if it had been coated in metal.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nBased on the box inscription, the pottery seal, and the style, this is a work from his final years. Yet, the remarkably swift and precise trimming of the foot shows no signs of age; it is clear that the master had transcended logic and technique, with his body itself retaining a deep, ingrained memory of his craft.\n\nOriginal box (shiho-zan) included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.7cm x 6.6cm x Height 5.8cm\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\nLater, he studied under the Kyoto potter Yaichi Kusube to further refine his skills.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter the war, he deepened his friendships with figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nToshu was so renowned for his skill on the wheel that he was known as \"Toshu of the Wheel,\" and he preferred creating delicate, perfectly symmetrical works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was particularly passionate about creating tea caddies, establishing his status as a master craftsman of tea ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1987, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) by the Japanese government.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1992, he held the exhibition \"Travels 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, 4th Class, and Bizen Honorary Citizen.","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618213318753,"sku":"7900","price":88000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7900.jpg?v=1790233439","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7900","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}