Bizen Sake Cup

This is a new Bizen sake cup, fresh from the kiln, by Kosuke Kaneshige—the leader of the Kaneshige family and son of the great Living National Treasure, Toyo Kaneshige, who is credited with the revival of Bizen ware. Featuring one of Kosuke Kaneshige's hallmarks, the piece displays a soft "melon-skin" *kase-goma* (ash glaze) texture that is so refined it is a joy to run your fingers over. Both the interior and the front showcase a brilliant, deep scarlet hue, creating a striking contrast reminiscent of a Yubari melon, while promising an excellent drinking experience. The plump, spherical form possesses a mysterious allure, perfectly complementing the moist, earthy quality of the clay. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 7.2cm x Diameter 6.9cm x Height 5.6cm Kosuke Kaneshige is the third son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. He graduated from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1968 and completed his graduate studies in sculpture there in 1970. He began exhibiting ceramic works in 1975, and after serving as a lecturer in the School of Letters at Tokai University, he returned home in 1977. He built his own climbing kiln in 1982. He creates objects, tea utensils, flower vases, tableware, and sake vessels. In 1991, he created the ceramic wall mural "Light and Wind" for the Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Building in Okayama. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1994. In 1997, he exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. He has held solo exhibitions in various locations, including Tokyo and Osaka. In 2012, he was designated as a Holder of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property.