Bizen sake bottle

This is a Bizen sake bottle from the first firing of Tomoyuki Oiwa, who has made his long-awaited debut after studying pottery techniques under Ryuichi Kakurezaki. These new works were produced in a climbing kiln that he designed and built himself in Kamigori, Hyogo Prefecture, and were removed from the kiln at the end of November. Fired with the intention of achieving a strong burn, the piece displays a magnificent landscape that is hard to believe came from a first firing. Oiwa himself noted that very few pieces from this firing resulted in this much "goma" (ash glaze). The thick, abundant goma covering the surface has an appearance more like a "waterfall" than a mere "stream," with layers of colors formed by the repeated process of thick accumulation and running, which is truly spectacular. As for the form, he has thoroughly pursued the beauty of the piece as a three-dimensional object, incorporating various meticulous carvings and other refinements into the constricted body design to create a "cool" and striking silhouette. While the work shows a great obsession with form, careful attention has also been paid to usability; it is designed to not be overly heavy and offers an excellent pour, reflecting Tomoyuki Oiwa’s high level of skill and thoughtfulness. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Rim 3.7cm x Body diameter 8.6cm x Body diameter 8.3cm x Height 15.0cm Capacity 350cc Tomoyuki Oiwa was born in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, in 1977. He completed his training at the Bizen Pottery Center in 2004 and began his apprenticeship under Ryuichi Kakurezaki in 2005. He became an independent potter in 2014.