{"product_id":"p5661","title":"Bizen tea caddy (named Akebono)","description":"This is a Bizen tea caddy by Kei Fujiwara, an artist beloved by all for a style that was both bold and unconstrained, yet exuded a warmth that shone through in his work. Created toward the end of his life, this piece is one in which the master had great confidence, featuring a signature and the name \"Akebono\" (Dawn) inscribed on the back of the lid of its original storage box. While the shape is akin to a Bunrin-style tea caddy, it possesses a unique weight and balance; within its charming, rounded form, one can feel a spirited sense of dynamism. This unique weight gives the piece an aura of vitality, as if it might spring upward at any moment, perfectly reflecting the \"Akebono\" name with the feeling of a rising, leaping dawn. The beautiful scarlet hue, which evokes the freshness characteristic of Fujiwara’s work, suits the style perfectly, giving it the presence of a piece of fruit when held in the palm of the hand. It is a distinguished and magnificent tea caddy, yet one that is remarkably approachable and cheerful—in the best sense of the word, it does not feel like a typical tea caddy. (Due to the shape of the base, it is slightly unstable on some surfaces, but remains steady on tatami mats.)\n\nOriginal storage box (with shihosam-style construction and silk pouch with ivory lid) \u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 8.3cm x 8.3cm x height including lid 8.9cm\n\nKei Fujiwara (1899–1983, born in Honami, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) entered the world of Bizen pottery at the encouragement of Atsuo Masamune, a scholar of Japanese literature who lived in Honami, Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe received instruction in techniques such as wheel throwing from Baikkei Mimura, and from 1941, he studied firing methods and polished his ceramic skills under Toyo Kaneshige, the first Living National Treasure of Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn his creative process, he aspired to the simplicity and boldness found in ancient Bizen pottery from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, establishing a clear, simple, and generous style that did not rely too heavily on technique.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, the artistic cultivation he developed while aspiring to pursue literature and poetry in his youth had a significant influence on his work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1954, he was recognized as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture, and in 1958, he became a director of the Japan Kōgei Association.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1970, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Kei Fujiwara Memorial Museum opened in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, in 1977.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 1983.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and honors include: Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Honorary Citizen of Bizen City, Honorary Resident of Okayama Prefecture, Junior Fifth Rank, and the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.","brand":"藤原 啓","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618002784353,"sku":"5661","price":170000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5661.jpg?v=1790230998","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p5661","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}