Chawan / Bizen / Yoshimoto Shuho
Bizen-Sue Chawan by Yoshimoto Shuho
I've seen many a chawan by veteran Bizen potter Yoshimoto Shuho(1938-) yet none that have as rich of a natural ash-glaze (shizenyu) as this open-faced one. The contrast between the subdued shizen-yu exterior and the jewelesque interior is quite outstanding. The open form is perfect for a summer chawan. Yoshimoto looks back to the fifth through twelfth centuries for his inspiration; that's when the sueki tradition was introduced from Korea (more about sueki on e-yakimono.net). Yoshimoto is the only potter in Bizen (out of 500 or so) who makes Bizen-Sue. He does it in a very traditional anagama which he fires for ten days. In the front of the kiln is where selected works are blessed with a rare blue-green shizen-yu as seen on this museum quality chawan. Yoshimoto was awarded the prestigious Kaneshige Toyo Award in 1984, has exhibited at major galleries throughout Japan, and is a highly respected Bizen ceramic artist. He must have been very fond of this chawan as the box is of the highest quality and I've included a photo of his calligraphy as it too is a work of art, it reads 'Bizen-Sue Shizen-yu Hira Chawan, Shuho zou." In perfect condition, 7.3cm.tall and 15.6cm. across, signed Yo on base.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
