23555 Living National Treasure Kaneshige Toyo (Bizen sake cup)

Height (5.9cm) Diameter (6.9cm)

This is a Bizen sake cup by Kaneshige Toyo, the first Living National Treasure and the great founder of the 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 the influence of Imari ware and Kutani ware. Not only was he an excellent potter himself, but he also trained many apprentices, from whom he produced Living National Treasures one after another, making his contributions to the history of Bizen ware immeasurable.

Toyo-sensei is known for using particularly good clay for his Hidasuki works, and this work also has a moist and smooth clay taste, with a soft skin-like texture that can only be achieved from the finest clay. Even among Toyo-sensei's works, which tend to be neat and tidy, this one has a sense of dignity, and is easy to drink and hold, making it a perfect pairing with sake.