23583 Living National Treasure Kaneshige Toyo (Sake cup)

Height 5.2cm Diameter 6.0cm

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.

Among the many neatly crafted sakes by Toyo Sensei, this sake has a profound feel to it, is smooth to the touch, and easy to hold, making it a perfect sake to go with.