{"product_id":"p4726","title":"Bizen sake bottle","description":"This is an early work of Bizen *tokkuri* (sake bottle) by the late Rokuro Nakamura, a traditional craftsman whom Bizen prides itself on, and who was hailed as a god of sake vessel making. Judging by the inscription on the box and the style, this piece dates back to his early period. While Nakamura is known for his soft *amayaki* (underfired) pieces, this work uses a remarkably coarse clay reminiscent of mountain soil, resulting in a unique style characterized by a rough texture and intense scarlet hues. In a word, it possesses a presence like that of ancient Bizen ware, with a style diametrically opposed to his later years, making it unrecognizable as a Nakamura piece at first glance. Unlike his later works, which often featured clearly defined variations in kiln-fired colors, the surface of this piece is raw and rugged with iron leaching out, featuring an array of colors that blend together with indistinct boundaries, much like ancient Bizen. It also makes extensive use of decorative elements like *yamamichi* (mountain path patterns) and *herame* (spatula marks), which again differs from his later, simpler style. The shoulder and neck evoke the withered charm of a Muromachi-period bottle, while the body offers a profound scarlet hue reminiscent of a Momoyama-period jar; it is a fascinating piece that can be enjoyed for its stark contrasts or simply appreciated for its classic, ancient Bizen style. (Please note that while there is some age-related staining, it shows little sign of use; as this is an early work, we ask for your understanding.)\n\nSigned wooden box (double-slat lid)\u003cbr\u003e\nMouth diameter 3.5cm × Body diameter 9.8cm × Body diameter 9.7cm × Height 12.8cm; Capacity approx. 400cc\n\nRokuro Nakamura worked as a company employee until the end of the war, when he began studying under Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige in 1945 to hone his skills, later establishing his own Rokuro Kiln in 1961. He preferred using the potter's wheel to create sake vessels like *tokkuri*, though he also worked with slab-building to craft *hobin* (side-handled teapots), *kyusu* (teapots), and tea bowls. His style was simple, rustic, and full of wild character. As a creator of *yakishime* (unglazed high-fired) pottery, he placed great importance on the firing process and devoted significant effort to kiln loading, which determined the quality of his works. He was recognized as a traditional craftsman in 1986, the same year he received the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Award, and in 1989, he was awarded the Seventh Class Order of the Blue Paulownia Leaves in the Spring Decorations. He passed away in April 2004.","brand":"中村六郎","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618657751137,"sku":"4726","price":70000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/4726.jpg?v=1790239440","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p4726","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}