{"product_id":"p7080","title":"Bizen sake bottle","description":"This is a Bizen sake flask by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, an artist known for his incomparable, godlike mastery and for creating numerous masterpieces.\u003cbr\u003e\nBearing the triangular \"Ma\" seal, this piece is believed to date from Toshu Yamamoto's middle period.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe perfectly symmetrical, highly refined form reflects the skill of a master who spent his entire life dedicated to the potter's wheel, and it is a pleasure to behold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCrafted using high-quality *ta-tsuchi* (rice field clay) collected in Imbe during the Showa era, it possesses a magnificent, soft scarlet *tsuchi-aji* (texture\/quality of clay) that becomes increasingly beautiful the more it is used.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe back of the piece features a slightly bluish *gure* ash-covered kiln transformation (*yohen*), creating a brilliant contrast between the vivid scarlet sections and the muted ash-covered areas.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile Toshu often made flasks with small necks and large bodies in his later years, this piece features a standard balance between neck and body, giving it the classic appearance of a quintessential Bizen sake flask.\n\nOriginal signed box (shiho-zan style)\u003cbr\u003e\nRim 3.0cm x Body diameter 9.3cm x 9.2cm x Height 13.0cm; Capacity approx. 430cc\n\nToshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Imbe, Bizen City) entered the world of ceramics in 1921 and established his own kiln in 1933.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nLater, he studied under the Kyoto ceramicist Yaichi Kusube to refine his techniques.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter the war, he deepened his friendships with figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nKnown as \"Toshu of the Wheel,\" he excelled in wheel-throwing techniques and preferred to create delicate, symmetrical works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was particularly passionate about creating tea caddies, establishing his status as a master of tea ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1987, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1992, he held the exhibition \"The Journey of the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and honors include: 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, Fourth Class, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618077888609,"sku":"7080","price":110000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7080.jpg?v=1790232193","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p7080","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}