{"product_id":"p8070","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This is a Bizen sake cup by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, an artist known for his incomparable, god-like mastery and for creating numerous masterpieces.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis sake cup features the mark used by Toshu-sensei during his later years, after he had begun his career as a craftsman and, having navigated turbulent times, was designated as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe extremely symmetrical and refined form, characteristic of a master who spent his entire life working at the potter's wheel, is a pleasure to behold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCreated using the Yamamoto family's unique firing method, which combines mixed wood and red pine, the piece displays a deep greenish-hued \"goma\" (sesame glaze) throughout, offering a landscape where one can enjoy both the intense power of the flames and the aesthetic of wabi-sabi, both hallmarks of Toshu-sensei's work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAlong with the deep greenish goma, the cup features natural black kiln transformation not derived from applied clay; combined with the golden hues of the clay body, it is a color palette recognizable as Toshu-sensei's at a single glance.\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 shows no signs of age, suggesting that he had transcended logic and technique, with his body itself faithfully remembering the skills of the craftsman.\n\nOriginal signed wooden box (shiho-zan style)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.7cm x 6.6cm x Height 5.6cm\n\nToshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Ibe, Bizen City) entered the world of pottery in 1921 after graduating from Ibe Elementary School, training at the Kobi-do and Tokei-do kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe established his own kiln in 1933 and further honed his skills under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube starting in 1938.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter the war, he deepened his friendships with Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi, and was influenced by them.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nToshu-sensei possessed such exceptional wheel-throwing skills that he was called a \"master of the potter's wheel,\" and he created many refined and elegant works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFrom 1976, he held the \"Tea Ceramics Series\" in Tokyo and Osaka for five years, establishing his status as a tea ceramic artist. He had a particular affinity for creating tea caddies (cha-ire) and produced many.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe also traveled to Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States to study overseas ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was designated as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture in 1954, and his *hidasuki* (fire-cord) large bowl exhibited at the Brussels World's Fair in 1959 won the Grand Prix gold medal.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1970, he became a director of the Japan Kogei Association, and in 1987, he was the third person to be designated a Living National Treasure for Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1992, he held the exhibition \"Journey of the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 1994.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and honors 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, Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618238419041,"sku":"8070","price":88000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/8070.jpg?v=1790233710","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p8070","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}