Toyo Kaneshige (金重陶陽), Japanese, 1896-1967

A Bizen Tokkuri (備前 徳利)

Taisho Era (1912-1926) or Showa Era (1926-1989)

About the work

A superb Bizen tokkuri by Toyo Kaneshige, the pioneering master widely credited with reviving Bizen ware in the twentieth century and designated a Living National Treasure in 1956. Executed in a classic bottle form with a gently swelling body and elegant, narrow neck, the vessel embodies the quiet strength and natural beauty that define the finest examples of modern Bizen ceramics.

Wood-fired in the traditional Bizen manner without glaze, the surface displays a rich palette of deep reddish-brown (hidasuki) tones, softened charcoal shading, and naturally occurring ash effects created solely through prolonged firing. Areas of subtle golden ash deposits and gentle colour transitions enliven the otherwise restrained form, demonstrating Kaneshige's exceptional understanding of clay, flame, and kiln atmosphere. Every nuance of the surface is the result of natural processes rather than applied decoration, making each work entirely unique.

The base bears the impressed seal of the artist. The piece is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako).

Dimensions

14.3cm(h) x 9.5cm(w)

Footnote

Toyo Kaneshige was recognized as Japan’s first Living National Treasure for Bizen ware, renowned for reviving and preserving the traditional techniques of Bizen pottery, one of Japan's oldest forms of ceramic art. His works are celebrated for their rustic beauty, wabi-sabi aesthetics, and exceptional craftsmanship, making them highly prized by tea masters and collectors worldwide.