23497 Living National Treasure Tomimoto Kenkichi (colored painted sake cup (1949))

Height 2.4cm Diameter 5.8cm

Tomimoto Kenkichi studied interior decoration at university and studied abroad in England. After returning to Japan, he became friends with Bernard Leach and began working as a potter, becoming popular for his works that made use of his talent as a designer, and in 1955 he was designated a Living National Treasure for his "colored porcelain." Tomimoto Kenkichi was also an accomplished designer, and even in his simple works he left behind a sophisticated and elegant brilliance.