Bizen Wara-me Sake Cup

This Bizen straw-pattern guinomi (sake cup) is by the prodigy Juro Harada, a master who was once called "frighteningly talented" by Matasaburo Katsura, the great benefactor of Bizen ware, while they conducted research on ancient Bizen together. The piece features a highly unique design resembling an upside-down straw bundle, with the straw represented by rope-marking and fine comb-mark patterns. The intense kiln alteration (yohen) is nothing short of spectacular, showcasing greenish goma (ash glaze) on the exterior and a rich, mist-like yellow goma on the interior. Along with the striking kiln alteration, the clay texture has evolved into something truly one-of-a-kind, featuring a deep shiso-red base with natural black tones emerging from the iron content in the clay. Signed wooden box (shiho-zan)
Diameter 7.3cm x Diameter 6.8cm x Height 7.8cm After graduating from Meiji University and working in a corporate position, Juro Harada began his career in pottery in 1969. He built an ana-gama kiln in 1971, followed by a climbing kiln the next year, and devoted himself fully to the ceramic arts. Starting in 1975, he studied ancient Bizen ware by visiting old kiln sites under the guidance of ancient Bizen researcher Matasaburo Katsura. In 1991, he built an ana-gama kiln on Mt. Amida in Ushimado. He created jars, tea utensils, and leaf-shaped dishes, primarily using the coiling method, while also incorporating the potter's wheel for some pieces. He held active solo exhibitions in cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. In 1983, he held a joint exhibition with Kenji Funaki of Fushina ware at the National Museum of Ethnology in Australia. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2000. In 2002, his work was exhibited and acquired for the opening exhibition of the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, and in 2005, his work was acquired by the New Orleans Museum of Art in the United States.