{"product_id":"p6689","title":"Ibe Hatsu-gama Guino","description":"This is a Bizen \"Hatsugama Gui-nomi\" (sake cup) by Sozan Kaneshige, an artist beloved for his fine Bizen works, who began his career as an assistant to his elder brother, the genius potter Toyo Kaneshige.\u003cbr\u003e\nAlthough Sozan began working seriously in Bizen pottery at the Maruyama Kiln in his mid-fifties, this piece was created during the first firing at his Ushigami-shita kiln after he returned to Imbe in his later years.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs one might expect from a lucky charm created for the first firing at Ushigami-shita, a large \"hidari-uma\" (reversed horse) character for \"first firing\" is boldly carved on the front, showcasing the lively and masterful calligraphy for which Sozan was renowned.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nReflecting its status as a specially crafted sake cup, the form is unique, resembling a miniature tea cup with a cylindrical shape that perfectly accommodates the dynamic \"hidari-uma\" character.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe foot is a wide \"goke-zoko\" (Go-stone bowl style) type, so sharp it gives the impression that the clay was sliced in a single instant.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTrue to his deep familiarity with Bizen clay, Sozan used the finest \"kannon-do\" clay, and its soft, shimmering brown texture can arguably be called sublime.\n\nSigned wooden box (double-crosspiece)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.0cm x 5.9cm x Height 7.3cm\n\nSozan Kaneshige (1909–1995) was the younger brother of Bizen pottery Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige, and worked alongside him until around 1951.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFollowing that, he engaged in service activities for the Oomoto religion in Kyoto, where he also studied techniques outside of Bizen pottery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1964, he built a climbing kiln in Maruyama, Okayama City, and became independent.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1966, he perfected the firing of \"hidaski\" (fire-cord) using an electric kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1982, he moved his studio to Imbe and built the Ushigami-shita kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1983, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 1995.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards include the Miki Memorial Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Award, the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.","brand":"金重素山","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618060357729,"sku":"6689","price":160000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6689.jpg?v=1790231745","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p6689","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}