{"product_id":"p6526","title":"Bizen spout pitcher","description":"This is a Bizen sake pourer by So Kaneshige, who inherited the Maruyama kiln as the eldest son of Sozan Kaneshige and captivates many with his harmony of delicate, elegant clay texture and powerful form.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is his latest work, just removed from the kiln in October 2021, and represents his first attempt at a sake pourer as he approaches his eightieth year.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe mentioned that he spent some time contemplating the spout construction after forming the main body, but the result is a truly masterful, dignified design that is a sight to behold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, while this is a sake pourer, it \"wears\" a base as stately as that of a tea bowl. In contrast to the gentle, balloon-like swelling of the body, the transition from the spatula marks around the waist down to the base is sharp and invigorating.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe firing displays the blue-tinged, crusty *kase-goma* (ash glaze) that clings to the surface like dry scales—a hallmark of both the Maruyama kiln and So Kaneshige’s work—creating a look that is well worth \"nurturing\" as befits a superlative pourer.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAdditionally, the areas untouched by ash reveal the rich, dense clay texture characteristic of high-quality *ta-tsuchi* (rice field clay), ensuring that the charm of Bizen earth remains evident alongside the intense firing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAccording to the artist, a small amount of sake may drip from the spout, but he encourages the owner to rub the surface and nurture the piece as they use it.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-zan)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 13.0cm × 9.7cm × Height 8.8cm\n\nSo Kaneshige was born in Okayama Prefecture in 1945 as the eldest son of Sozan Kaneshige.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter graduating from the Faculty of Agriculture at Kyoto University in 1969, he began his path in ceramics under his father, Sozan Kaneshige.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe later established his independence in the Maruyama district of present-day Okayama City in 1979.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nUsing the potter’s wheel, he focuses primarily on tea ceramics, characterized by a deep, powerful firing.\u003cbr\u003e\nHe strives to eliminate ornamentation as much as possible, focusing on channeling his spirit directly into the clay.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe currently focuses his activities on solo exhibitions.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe actively holds annual solo exhibitions at department stores in Okayama, Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Kumamoto.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1995, he held a solo exhibition in Munich, Germany.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1997, he exhibited his work at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2019, he received the Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award.","brand":"金重 愫","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618056130657,"sku":"6526","price":77000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6526.jpg?v=1790231610","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p6526","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}