{"product_id":"p8082","title":"Bizen ware sake cup","description":"This Bizen sake cup is the work of Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, a master who created numerous masterpieces with peerless, god-like technical skill.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis cup features the maker's mark used during the final years of his life, after he had begun his career as a craftsman and, having lived through tumultuous times, was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe perfectly symmetrical, highly disciplined form is a pleasure to behold, reflecting the work of a master who spent his entire life facing the potter's wheel.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt features delicate *hidasuki* (fire-cord) markings, fired by meticulously controlling the temperature in an electronically controlled gas kiln he developed jointly with his son, Yuichi.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nPossessing a character distinct from other electric-kiln fired *hidasuki*, the clay has a strong, clean, and transparent white quality.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nToshu's craftsman spirit is evident in the weight that fits perfectly in the hand despite the disciplined wheel-work, and in the uncompromising, straight-cut base, which one might even feel is artlessly simple.\u003cbr\u003e\n\nOriginal signed wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.6cm x 6.6cm x Height 6.6cm\n\nToshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Imbe, Bizen City) entered the world of pottery in 1921 after graduating from Imbe Elementary School, training at the Kobi-do and Tokei-do kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe established his own kiln in 1933 and went on to study under the Kyoto potter Yaichi Kusube in 1938 to further refine his skills.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter the war, he deepened his friendships with Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi, both of whom influenced his work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nToshu was so renowned for his exceptional wheel-throwing skills that he was called a \"master of the potter's wheel,\" producing numerous elegant and well-balanced works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nBeginning in 1976, he held a five-year \"Tea Ceramics Series\" in Tokyo and Osaka, establishing his reputation as a master of tea ware. He was particularly fond of creating tea caddies (*cha-ire*) and produced many pieces in this form.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe also traveled to Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States to observe foreign ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1954, he was recognized as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture, and in 1959, his *hidasuki* large bowl won the Grand Prix Gold Medal at the Brussels World Expo.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became a director of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1970, and in 1987, he was designated as the third person to be named a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1992, he held the exhibition \"Journey of the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 1994.\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, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618240417889,"sku":"8082","price":55000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/8082.jpg?v=1790233731","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p8082","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}