{"product_id":"p7647","title":"Bizen Sake Pourer","description":"This is an earlier Bizen *katakuchi* (spouted bowl) by Yoshinobu Morimoto, an artist with an exceptional aesthetic sense who continues to evolve in his handling of clay, firing, and craftsmanship.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece was created approximately 10 years ago.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile Morimoto-sensei is known for his work in recreating ancient Bizen through his skillful shaping and firing techniques, this piece, crafted about a decade ago, features a vibrant and expressive surface.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDescribed by the artist himself as *kaburimono* (an \"overlaid\" or \"clothed\" piece), the work features layers of *goma* (ash glaze) and *hidasuki* (fire-cord markings) that build a profound, kiln-altered \"garment\" across its surface.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHowever, the true essence of this work lies not merely in those layers, but in the exquisite *nuke* (unfired or naturally masked areas) that emerge during the firing process. The contrast between these *nuke* and the hard-fired, tightly vitrified clay body is nothing short of magnificent.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nRather than the soft, under-fired *nuke* favored in some contemporary Bizen, Morimoto pursues the authentic, well-fired *nuke* seen in ancient Bizen. He has masterfully differentiated the firing, resulting in a deep, chocolate-like clay surface on the exterior and a fresher, softer texture on the interior.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nLeveraging the aesthetic sensibilities and technical skills honed through crafting tea wares such as *chawan*, combined with deep knowledge gained from the study of tea ceremony and ancient ceramics, he has successfully refined the *katakuchi* form—often seen in works like Old Karatsu—for a contemporary context.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhether used as a sake pourer or as a small serving bowl, its versatile size makes it suitable for a variety of purposes.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is an unused piece that was carefully stored after its initial purchase.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-zan)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter: 14.2cm x 11.7cm x Height: 6.7cm\n\nYoshinobu Morimoto was born in Okayama Prefecture in 1976.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter completing his studies at the Bizen Pottery Center in 1996, he worked independently.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2004, and has since held annual exhibitions across the country, primarily in Tokyo.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art’s \"Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition\" in 2005, 2006, and 2007.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe exhibited at the \"Contemporary Sake Ware Exhibition\" in 2008 and the \"Contemporary Tea Bowl Exhibition\" in 2009 at the Nihombashi Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2010, he held a solo exhibition at Tenmaya in Okayama.","brand":"森本良信","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618203029601,"sku":"7647","price":17600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7647.jpg?v=1790233040","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p7647","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}