23186 ARAKAWA Toyozo (Karatsu-style sake cup)

Height 5.3cm Diameter 6.8cm

He has made a great contribution to the history of modern Japanese pottery and has been designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property in both the fields of "Shino" and "Setoguro". Through the "Karahine Society", he deepened his ties with leading figures in the pottery world of the Showa era, such as Kawakita Handeishi, Kaneshige Toyo, and Miwa Kyuwa, and established a solid position in the world. Arakawa Toyozo is a Living National Treasure representing Mino, who is still highly regarded and popular today. Arakawa Toyozo, who showed deep knowledge outside of Mino pottery and had a close friendship with Karatsu leading figure Nishioka Koju, continued to produce this Karatsu work throughout his life. The well-balanced shape and the representative design, which is thought to be a "picture of birds and arabesques," are drawn freely, and the milky white ash glaze is applied as if it is covered in mist, giving it a truly Toyozo-like atmosphere. The painting is free of waste, emphasizing the "beauty of the blank space," and the nobility that allows you to look at it forever without getting bored can be said to be the essence of Arakawa Toyozo's beauty. It is clear that this is a unique Karatsu work by Toyozo, created at Mount Kokei.