23294 Living National Treasure MIWA Kyuwa (Hagi-yaki sake cup)

Height 5.0cm Diameter 6.5cm

He began making pottery as the second son of Miwa Setsudo, the 9th head of Miwa Kiln, which had been the official kiln of the Hagi domain since the early Edo period and had been producing Hagi ware for generations. When Setsudo retired in 1927, he became the 10th head of Miwa Kiln and took the name of Miwa Kyusetsu 10th. He formed the Karahine-kai with Kawakita Handeishi, Kaneshige Toyo, and Arakawa Toyozo, and pioneered Hagi ware through his own training. In his later years, he handed over the title of Miwa Kyusetsu 11th to his younger brother (later to become Living National Treasure Miwa Jusetsu), and took on the name Miwa Kyukazu. He is a master who made a great contribution to the history of modern Japanese pottery, and was eventually recognized as a Living National Treasure for Hagi ware. This work, which is Miwa Kyukazu's finest work, is a highly artistic piece that combines the good old traditions with his own style, while being knowledgeable about tea ware and sincerely facing Hagi ware. The vibrant and varied scenery and bold design are truly beautiful and a testament to the talent of Professor Miwa Kyuwa.