25484 Living National Treasure Kaneshige Toyo (Bizen Vase)

Height 23.8cm

Diameter 12.6cm

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 Living National Treasures one after another, making his contributions to the history of Bizen ware immeasurable.

Even among Toyo Sensei's works, which tend to be of a neat and tidy style, this piece exudes a sense of dignity.