{"product_id":"p5890","title":"Bizen ware sake cup","description":"This is an exquisite Bizen sake cup by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, a master who created numerous masterpieces with incomparable skills described as miraculous.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis sake cup features the pottery seal used in the master's later years, after he began his career as a craftsman and was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture following a turbulent era.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe perfectly symmetrical and highly refined craftsmanship, characteristic of a master who spent his entire life facing the potter's wheel, is a pleasure to behold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is a rare sake cup with *yohen* (kiln transformation) from Toshu's final years, a piece that has become increasingly difficult to find in recent years.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe *haikaburi* (ash-covered) glaze, fired thoroughly while retaining the natural character of the clay, varies from soft and smooth areas to textured, scorched sections.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe *nuke* (clear spot) on the front retains a faint scarlet hue within the *shiso* (perilla-leaf) color, allowing one to enjoy the moist, soft clay texture characteristic of Bizen, even amidst the intense firing process.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nA *dosenbo* (a type of heat shield) was placed in the interior like a drop-lid for a pot, creating a distinct, circular scarlet *nuke* that offers a top-tier aesthetic when filled with sake.\n\nOriginal box (shiho-san style)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.9cm x 6.8cm x Height 5.8cm\n\nToshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Ibe, Bizen City) entered the world of pottery in 1921 and established his own kiln in 1933.\u003cbr\u003e\nLater, he studied under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube to refine his techniques.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter the war, he deepened his friendships with artists such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nToshu was so renowned for his wheel-throwing technique that he was called \"Toshu of the Potter's Wheel,\" and he favored creating delicate, symmetrical works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was particularly passionate about creating tea caddies (*cha-ire*), establishing his reputation as a master craftsman of tea ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1987, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1992, he held the exhibition \"Journey of the Six Old Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto.\" \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards include the 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.","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618015924321,"sku":"5890","price":120000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5890.jpg?v=1790231139","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p5890","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}