{"product_id":"p6608","title":"Bizen Straw-Fired Sake Cup","description":"This is a Bizen straw-motif *guinomi* (sake cup) by the brilliant Juro Harada, a master who studied old Bizen ware alongside the great benefactor of Bizen, Matasaburo Katsura, and who was once described as having \"frightening potential.\"\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece is from one of the final kilns that Harada-sensei fired himself; true to its name, the straw motif is rendered with incredibly fine comb marks.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe craftsmanship, reminiscent of the straw stacks seen in harvested fields, is superb, with the detail of the \"ropes\" binding the straw being particularly intricate. It reveals a charm distinct from Harada-sensei's typical rugged style.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe rim is left without these comb marks, featuring a smooth clay surface that improves the mouthfeel despite its elaborately decorated design.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nPerhaps to preserve the fine details, the firing seems to have been managed to avoid heavy natural glaze, resulting in a lovely, simple combination of yellow *goma* (sesame ash) and *shiso* (reddish-purple) hues.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nInheriting the spirit of prayer for a bountiful harvest that existed in the age of old Bizen, this sake cup, shaped like the straw of the rice used to make sake, carries a somewhat mystical air.\n\nWith signed wooden box (shiho-zan style)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.9cm x 6.4cm x Height 7.7cm\n\nJuro Harada was born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, in 1941.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter graduating from Meiji University, he worked for a company before beginning his pottery career around 1969.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe built an *anagama* (tunnel kiln) in 1971 and a climbing kiln the following year, beginning his work in earnest.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nStarting in 1975, he studied old Bizen ware by visiting ancient kiln sites under the guidance of the old Bizen researcher Matasaburo Katsura.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1991, he built an *anagama* at Amidayama in Ushimado.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nParticularly renowned for his *suribachi* (grinding bowls), he crafted vases, tea utensils, and sake vessels primarily using the coil-building technique, with some parts turned on a potter's wheel.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe held solo exhibitions throughout Japan, including in Tokyo and Osaka.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1983, he held a two-person exhibition at the National Museum of Australia with Kenji Funaki of Fushina ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2000.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2002, he exhibited at the opening commemorative exhibition of the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, where his work was subsequently acquired for the collection.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis works were acquired by the New Orleans Museum of Art in the United States in 2005.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 2024.","brand":"原田拾六","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618058260577,"sku":"6608","price":65000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6608.jpg?v=1790231682","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p6608","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}