Bizen Syuhai

This is a Bizen sake cup by Living National Treasure Yu Fujiwara, who broadened his horizons not only within Japan but globally, to share the charm of Bizen ware with the world. The style is instantly recognizable as that of Yu Fujiwara; it is a work that confronts you with an unadorned heart, eschewing superficial techniques. The clay, a blend of scarlet and shiso-red, features golden highlights that shimmer as if coated in a thin layer of platinum. While this golden-hued clay is the centerpiece, matte "sesame" ash glaze is sprinkled throughout, creating intriguing shadows. The interior also features a large, golden-hued "nuke" (an unglazed, lighter area), reflecting the dedication of Fujiwara, who prioritized beauty during use. Signed wooden box (double-slat lid)
D7.1cm x D7.0cm x H5.7cm Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001, born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the eldest son of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara. His motto for pottery was "simple, clear, and bold," and he was known as "Yu of the Jars" for the many jars and bowls he produced. Influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji, he also excelled at creating tableware. From 1972, he held a series of exhibitions, including the "100 Jars Exhibition," "Sake Bottle Exhibition," "100 Flower Vessels Exhibition," and "100 Bowls Exhibition." He also created many large-scale reliefs and objects. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1967. In 1980, he was designated a holder of an important intangible cultural property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1996, he and his father became the first father-son pair to both be designated as holders of important intangible cultural properties (Living National Treasures) in the field of ceramics.
Major awards: Toyo Kaneshige Award, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Encouragement Award, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts, Academia Grand Prize for Art and Culture, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.