Bizen sake bottle

This is an earlier Bizen sake flask by Izuru Yamamoto, who applies his background in sculpture to pursue a new sense of formative beauty within a traditional style. Following the aesthetic established by his father, Toshu Yamamoto, the flask features a small mouth contrasting with a wide, robust body. It was fired in what is known as a *suana* (air hole), resulting in a vibrant appearance defined by a metallic, gold-toned *nuke* (area shielded from ash), along with *goma* (ash glaze) and *sangiri* (reduction-fired grey) effects. The overall surface has a calm, matte texture that invites you to touch it while enjoying a drink. Izuru-sensei recently crafted a new box for this piece. (Please note that while there are few signs of use, this is an earlier work.) Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Rim 3.2cm × Body 9.3cm × Diameter 9.1cm × Height 13.5cm / Capacity approx. 460cc Izuru Yamamoto is the fourth son of Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Musashino Art University in 1967 and completing a postgraduate program the following year, he studied sculpture at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris for two years. Upon returning to Japan in 1970, he began his study of pottery under his father and established his own kiln in 1975. He creates works utilizing unique techniques such as *tatakikomi* (beaten-in), *shussai* (slip-applied), and *tsumiage* (layered slab construction). He became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1979. In 1980, he received the Encouragement Award at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, followed by the Kaneshige Toyo Prize in 1985. In 1997, he received the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award and exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. In 2002, he won the Tanabe Museum of Art Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition for his "Layered Vessel" (*tsumiage kaki*), which incorporated clay from Burgundy, France. In 2012, he was designated as a Holder of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property.