Painted Bizen Sake Cup

This is a colored Bizen sake cup by Anjin Abe, an artist who possesses profound insight and an aesthetic sense for antique ceramics, creating one-of-a-kind works through his unique research and firing techniques. With a body highlighted by gold leaf, the magnificent Red Fuji is depicted, resulting in a work with a solemn atmosphere. The newly added light blue accents harmonize beautifully with the black and indigo of the Fuji. It is a work that is a pleasure just to gaze upon—a painting that can also serve as a drinking vessel. Signed wooden box (double box, four-sided cleat construction)
Diameter 6.5cm x Diameter 5.9cm x Height 6.4cm Anjin Abe was originally a Western-style painter. While collecting ceramics as a hobby, he felt a lack in contemporary Bizen ware and began pottery in 1972 to create pieces that satisfied his own standards. He frequently creates water jars, flower vases, flattened jars, bowls, sake bottles, and sake cups. All are thrown on a potter's wheel and finished with a spatula. He bases his pottery on Momoyama-period antique Bizen and is highly particular about his firing techniques. Furthermore, he presents works that combine various materials and techniques, such as ceramics, lacquer, oil painting, and bronze (mixed media), and is engaged in diverse expressive activities. He actively holds solo exhibitions both in Japan and internationally, including in Tokyo, Osaka, New York, and Paris.