26199 Living National Treasure Kaneshige Toyo Bizen Eared Vase KANESHIGE Toyo

Height 23.5cm
Diameter 15.5cm

This is a Bizen sake cup by Kaneshige Toyo, the first Living National Treasure and the founder of the great Bizen ware revival. He was the first Bizen ware potter to be designated a Living National Treasure. He is known as the "founder of the Bizen ware revival" for successfully reviving Bizen ware, which had lost popularity since the mid-Edo period due to being overshadowed by Imari ware and Kutani ware. Not only was he an excellent potter himself, but he also trained many apprentices, from whom he produced a succession of Living National Treasures, making his contributions to the history of Bizen ware immeasurable.