{"product_id":"p8103","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This is a Bizen sake cup (guinomi) by the timeless master Ken Fujiwara, an artist who combined boldness with meticulous precision.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCrafted by being carefully fired after being wrapped in straw within the kiln,\u003cbr\u003e\nthis piece allows you to enjoy not only intense sesame ash glaze (goma) but also thread-like and white sesame patterns created by the straw.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nPresumably placed in the direct path of the fire (hizene), the striking, intense sesame scenery is magnificent,\u003cbr\u003e\ntransforming into a black, flowing glaze on the front that resembles obsidian.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, the interior displays a dramatic landscape that appears as if one had ventured into a raging fire\u003cbr\u003e\nto scoop up a mass of ash directly.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe straw wrapped around the piece during firing plays an especially fascinating role,\u003cbr\u003e\nparticularly in the interior, where the melted straw and sesame glaze have fused to create white sesame patterns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhen in use, these look like a single cherry blossom petal floating in sake, or perhaps falling snow, lending the piece a wonderful sense of refinement.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe 7cm diameter, slightly wide form possesses a dignity reminiscent of a tea bowl despite its small size,\u003cbr\u003e\nperfectly complemented by the elegant, sweeping foot (kodai) that is characteristic of Fujiwara's work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThere is a repair on the side of the foot where fusion occurred during firing, but there are no issues with usage.\u003cbr\u003e\n(*See the 7th photo, below the black flowing sesame glaze)\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-zan)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.9cm × 6.7cm × Height 4.7cm\n\nKen Fujiwara (1924–1977) began his pottery career in 1946 under his uncle, Kei Fujiwara, and also studied under Toyo Kaneshige and Sozan Kaneshige.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe also learned tableware production under Rosanjin Kitaoji in Kamakura.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1956, he built his own kiln in Honami, Bizen City, and became independent.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThereafter, his work was continuously selected for various exhibitions.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1970, he designed and built a large kiln using modern refractory bricks.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture in 1973.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was also awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, and the Toyo Kaneshige Prize, among others.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nExpected to be a leader of the next generation of Bizen pottery, he passed away at the young age of 53 in 1977.","brand":"藤原 建","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618243694689,"sku":"8103","price":19800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/8103.jpg?v=1790233766","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p8103","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}