Bizen Chataku

These Bizen ware tea saucers are the work of Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, a master craftsman who created numerous masterpieces with peerless, god-like techniques. These were produced during the early stages of Yamamoto's career, when he was active as a potter. To meet the challenging request of creating tea saucers out of Bizen ware, Yamamoto poured the pinnacle of his skill into their creation, resulting in pieces that, despite being mere tea saucers, are truly spectacular. He used levigated clay, typically reserved for ornamental carvings, and after throwing the pieces on a wheel, carefully polished them to achieve a finish that resembles metalwork. Yet, as if to show off the true essence of Bizen, they feature a diverse and refined landscape of *goma* (ash glaze) and *sangiri* (kiln reduction marks), elevating them into magnificent tea saucers that could only be achieved in ceramics. Dealer's box (two-way crossbar type)
Approx. diameter 9.5cm x 9.4cm x approx. height 3.1cm Toshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Ibe, Bizen City) entered the world of pottery in 1921 and established his own kiln in 1933. He later studied under Kyoto potter Yaichi Kusube to refine his skills. After the war, he deepened his friendships with figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi. Renowned as "Toshu of the Potter's Wheel," he was celebrated for his exceptional skill and the creation of delicate works. He also worked ambitiously on tea ceramics, primarily tea caddies, establishing his status as a master craftsman of tea pottery. He had a particular fondness for tea caddies, of which he produced many. He was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government in 1987. In 1992, he held the exhibition "Travels of the Six Old Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto."
Major awards include: 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, 4th Class, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.