24260 Living National Treasure Kaneshige Toyo (Bizen Eared Vase [Jokuchuusai])

Height 23.4cm Diameter 13.0cm

This is a Bizen vase 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 a succession of Living National Treasures, making his contributions to the history of Bizen ware immeasurable.