Hidasuki guinomi

This is an earlier Bizen Hidasuki Guinomi by Makoto Kaneshige, who inherited Maruyama-gama as the eldest son of Sozan Kaneshige and captivates many collectors through the harmony of refined clay character and powerful form.

A career history sheet up to 1999 (Heisei 11) is included, and this piece is believed to have been made around that time.

Unlike Hidasuki fired in an electric kiln, this is a Hidasuki guinomi fired in a noborigama (climbing kiln). Over an adzuki-brown surface, Hidasuki with subtle orange tones has been applied.

It is said that when Sozan developed electric-kiln firing in Bizen, he chose a slightly coarser clay for Hidasuki works. This piece also features an appealingly strong texture with small stone inclusions.

Its most distinctive feature—the orange-tinged Hidasuki—appears as if it is gently seeping out from within the clay surface, and the rich gradations created by the climbing kiln’s flames are deeply atmospheric.

The foot is boldly trimmed almost to the very edge of the Tatamitsuki (the flat ring where the vessel rests), a signature approach that seems to have been one of Makoto’s trademarks even then. Even without excessive decoration, the piece speaks eloquently through its presence alone.

Although this is an earlier work, there are no stains or signs of use.