Yamamoto Tōshū (山本陶秀), Japanese, 1906 - 1994

A Bizen Hidasuki Yunomi (備前火襷湯呑)

Shōwa Era (1926–1989) or Heisei Era (1989–2019)

About the work

An elegant Bizen tea cup (yunomi) by Yamamoto Tōshū, displaying bold reddish-orange hidasuki markings across a pale, unglazed clay body. Its restrained form allows the sweeping fire marks and fine texture of the clay to take prominence.

The cup has a gently tapering body, with a comparatively straight upper section and rounded lower contours leading to a small circular foot. The mouth is simple and lightly irregular, while the carefully balanced proportions give the vessel a quiet, composed appearance.

Broad diagonal bands of red and orange cross the exterior, contrasting with the warm cream and buff tones of the surrounding clay. Fine speckling and subtle surface variations remain visible throughout, lending depth to the otherwise undecorated body.

Hidasuki, often translated as “fire cords”, is a characteristic Bizen firing effect produced by placing straw against the clay before firing. The resulting reddish marks form part of the fired surface rather than an applied painted decoration. Here, the flowing bands create a particularly clear and expressive composition against the pale ground.

Accompanied by its original wooden box.

Dimensions

8.3cm(h) x 8cm(w)

Weight: 186g

Footnote

Yamamoto Toshu was born in 1906 in Imbe, the center of Bizen ceramics, and began working with clay in 1921. He established himself independently in 1933 and deepened his practice under Kusube Yaichi from 1938. Recognized early for technical mastery and aesthetic clarity, he became a certified preserver of craft techniques in 1948 and was named an Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder of Okayama Prefecture in 1954. In 1959, he received the Grand Prix at the Brussels World Exposition. His works were later presented to Ise Shrine, the Imperial Household, and foreign royalty. In 1987 he was designated a Living National Treasure for Bizen ware, affirming his central role in the revival and elevation of the tradition.