{"product_id":"254","title":"Bizen Sake Cup by Masaharu Takahara, Artist with Works in the Frankfurt Museum Collection, Trained Under Two Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties, With Ascending Kiln Natural Ash Glaze Melting Traces, Shot Glass #254","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"22\"\u003eWe are pleased to introduce a very rare sake cup (guinomi) by Masaharu Takahara (1941-2000), a master Bizen ware artisan born in Okayama Prefecture in 1941. He boasts a brilliant record, including receiving the \"Sanyo Shimbun Award\" for two consecutive years in 1967 and 1968 at the Japan Crafts Association's Eastern Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and being selected for the \"1st Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition,\" the pinnacle of contemporary ceramic art, in 1971. In 1987, his work was publicly acquired and permanently stored by the Museum Angewandte Kunst (Frankfurt, West Germany at the time). As a deceased artist who passed away at the young age of 59, the supply of new works to the market has completely ceased, making his creations increasingly rare in the art market. We propose this supreme Japanese craftwork, with its undeniable history and prestige, to the world as a vintage premium sake vessel for savoring aged amber sake or premium Japanese whisky neat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"23\"\u003eThe fundamental artistic value of Masaharu Takahara lies in his exceptionally privileged and legitimate lineage, having directly inherited techniques from two top-tier Bizen ware masters of different styles. In 1958, he apprenticed under Yozan Isezaki (1902-1961), a holder of Okayama Prefecture's Important Intangible Cultural Property, and deeply absorbed the sculptural sense of intricate ceramic carving and three-dimensional craftsmanship. Then, in 1962, he apprenticed under Furo Ishii (1899-1964), also a holder of Okayama Prefecture's Important Intangible Cultural Property, thoroughly mastering Furo's signature excellent throwing (rokuro) technique. The reason Takahara's works are most highly praised by experts is precisely this exquisite balance achieved by integrating Yozan's three-dimensional spatial understanding in his detailed works with Furo's precise and confident lines on the potter's wheel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"24\"\u003eA professional analysis of the attached artwork images reveals that the extraordinary techniques inherited from the two masters and the drama of the climbing kiln firing are clearly visible across the entire surface of the vessel. The vessel's form exhibits the beautiful yet powerful throwing marks around its body, a direct legacy from Furo Ishii. When cupped in the palm, one can feel the moist, carefully selected fine \"Hiyose\" clay's texture (paddy field clay exclusive to Bizen) that clings to the hand. The surface's scenery, created without any glaze, expresses the authentic, traditional Bizen kiln changes, Sangiri (grey-black reduction effects caused by ash burial), and Hidasuki (brilliant red fire-cords produced by straw wrapping) with extremely high density, resulting solely from the intense flames and ash convection produced by burning split red pine wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"25\"\u003eParticularly noteworthy is the design on the inside of the sake cup. Near the bottom interior, several small, dark, glossy spots can be observed. These are not stains or defects from artificial glaze, but rather genuine natural scenery called \"natural glaze fusion marks\" (technically referred to as black sesame spots or early fusion marks of \"Bidoro\" glass). These occur when the ash of red pine, the fuel, completely vitrifies and melts as a liquid onto the clay surface in pinpoint locations within the Bizen climbing kiln at extreme temperatures exceeding 1200 degrees Celsius. In Bizen ware, an aesthetic of subtraction that uses no glaze whatsoever, these glossy spots are the very \"memory of fire,\" vividly conveying the intense convection of flames, the placement of the work within the kiln, and the moment of extreme heat management. They are an important highlight that further enhances the work's appreciation value and prestige.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"26\"\u003eOn the bottom of the vessel, Takahara's unique potter's mark, a deformed character \"Masa\" (昌) deeply carved with a spatula to prove his authorship, is clearly visible. Furthermore, the complete set includes a tomobako (wooden box) with the artist's own fluid brush calligraphy \"Bizen Sake Cup Masaharu\" and an official red seal, along with a bookmark detailing his ceramic history at the time. This pristine condition serves as decisive evidence guaranteeing its authenticity and artistic value. Please fully enjoy this unique crystallization of Japanese traditional craftsmanship, which embodies the spirit of a master artisan in his most energetic period, marked by two consecutive major awards, as a privileged everyday companion for savoring exquisite sake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"26\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist: \u003c\/strong\u003eMasaharu Takahara (1941-2000)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"26\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist's Major Activities: \u003c\/strong\u003e[1958] Apprenticed under Yozan Isezaki, holder of Okayama Prefecture's Important Intangible Cultural Property; [1962] Apprenticed under Furo Ishii, holder of Okayama Prefecture's Important Intangible Cultural Property, selected for the Japan Crafts Association's Eastern Chugoku Branch Exhibition; [1965] Established his own climbing kiln and became independent; [1967 \u0026amp; 1968] Received the Sanyo Shimbun Award for two consecutive years at the Japan Crafts Association's Eastern Chugoku Branch Exhibition; [1971] Selected for the 1st Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition; [1981] Traveled to the United States for ceramic research; [1987] Work publicly acquired by the Museum Angewandte Kunst (Frankfurt, West Germany at the time).\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"26\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorks Held By: \u003c\/strong\u003eMuseum Angewandte Kunst (Germany), among others.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"26\"\u003eProduction Period: Early 1970s (estimated peak period immediately after selection for the 1st Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"26\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good (no chips, no cracks, natural glaze fusion marks from the climbing kiln visible on the interior, slight opening of the clay boundary on the surface as a characteristic of the work)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"26\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccessories: \u003c\/strong\u003eTomobako (wooden box with artist's handwritten signature and seal), wrapping cloth, bookmark\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Pottery (Bizen ware - Kiln change, Sangiri, Hidasuki, Natural glaze fusion marks)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"26\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003eHeight approx. 6.3 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 6.0 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"26\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote: \u003c\/strong\u003eAll products offered by our store, even if unused, are from a very old production period and are listed as pre-owned. Please be aware that products may have damage due to age, and consider this before making a purchase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Antique Liquor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47835534950587,"sku":null,"price":40000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/0510\/8923\/files\/IMG_6829_result.jpg?v=1779457727","url":"https:\/\/antiqueliquor1926.com\/en\/products\/254","provider":"Antique Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}