{"product_id":"p7474","title":"Bizen climbing kiln water dropper","description":"This is a Bizen climbing kiln *suiteki* (water dropper) by Hikaru Shimamura, who inherits the genre of Bizen *saikumono* (ornamental pottery), which has continued uninterrupted since ancient times, with a unique sensibility and creative power.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTrue to Shimamura-sensei’s style of expressing familiar objects with witty deformation, this water dropper captures the rounded, charming form of a climbing kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs one who seeks to reignite the flickering flame of the endangered Bizen *saikumono* tradition, Shimamura-sensei has masterfully completed this piece in the form of a \"water dropper,\" a subject handled by numerous master craftsmen before him.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCreated by using a plaster mold and then refining the details with a spatula, it is packed with the techniques of a master despite its palm-sized scale—from parts like the firebox and chimney to the arches of each kiln chamber.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nShimamura-sensei’s high level of skill is demonstrated not only in his spatula work on *saikumono* but also in the precise calculations during firing that bring out the best in his designs, resulting in a soft *hidasuki* (fire-cord) effect that evokes the brilliance of flames.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece contains a small bead inside, causing it to chime like a clay bell.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.6cm x 5.6cm x Height 5.4cm\n\nHikaru Shimamura was born in Osafune-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, in 1942.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe graduated from the Painting Department of Naniwa College (now Osaka University of Arts Junior College) in 1962.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDrawn to the charm of Bizen *saikumono*, he embarked on a career in ceramics in 1975.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became independent in 1978 after building an *anagama* kiln in Osafune-cho, and in 1992, he built his current climbing kiln in Kuku-i.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2013, he was certified as a holder of the Bizen pottery production technique designated as an Intangible Cultural Property by Bizen City, and in 2019, he was certified as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2024, he received the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe has held solo exhibitions in various locations, including Tokyo, Okayama, and New York.","brand":"島村 光","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618179207265,"sku":"7474","price":49500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7474.jpg?v=1790232768","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p7474","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}