Bizen Tokkuri (Sake Flask)

This is a Bizen tokkuri (sake server) by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, a master who created numerous masterpieces with incomparable, god-like skills. It bears the triangular "Ma" potter’s mark, suggesting it is a work from his mid-career, around the time he was designated a Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property. The piece features the symmetrical, refined form typical of Toshu, and it feels as though his technique had already reached the realm of mastery even at this stage of his career. Conversely, the clay has a distinct character quite different from his later years; he used a coarser clay containing a large amount of fine stone particles to achieve a rich, viscous scarlet and shiso-red hue. This finish, dominated by scarlet—the polar opposite of the hard, tightly fired texture of his late works—will surely develop an even more beautiful character with continued use. Original signed box (Nihō-san)
Sake cup: Diameter 6.3cm x Diameter 6.2cm x Height 4.6cm
Tokkuri: Mouth rim 3.0cm x Body diameter 9.1cm x Body diameter 9.0cm x Height 13.5cm; Capacity approx. 450cc Toshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Imbe, Bizen City) entered the world of ceramics in 1921 and established his own kiln in 1933. He later studied under Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube to hone his skills. After the war, he deepened his friendships with figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi. Known as "Toshu of the Potter’s Wheel," he was renowned for his excellent wheel techniques and delicate works. He worked ambitiously on tea ceramics, primarily tea caddies (cha-ire), establishing his reputation as a master craftsman of tea wares. In 1987, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government. In 1992, he held the exhibition "Travels of the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto."
Major awards: Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Mainichi Art Award, Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, Honorary Citizen of Bizen City