Tokkuri / Bizen / Arakawa Toyozo
Arakawa Toyozo Bizen Tokkuri
One of the most gifted potters and scholars Japan has ever known was Arakawa Toyozo(1894-1985). He was named a Living National Treasure in 1955 for Shino and Black Seto. He also was associated with some of the other greatest potters of his day including Miwa Kyusetsu, Kawakita Handeshi, Kato Hajime, Kato Tokuro, Ishiguro Munemaro, and Kaneshige Toyo. Here is a very rare Bizen sake flask-tokkuri that was fired at the Kaneshige kiln. He visited the Kaneshige kiln in 1951 and again in September of 1974. Toyo's son Michiaki was the master of the kiln then. This tokkuri is quite heavy and bold with Arakawa's typical flaring mouth. It has a rich rice paddy clay flavor that the Kaneshige kiln is known for; they use a special clay called kannon tsuchi. Arakawa's 'to' sign is on the base and the box was signed by Arakawa's eldest son Takeo. Perfect condition, 12.5cm.tall and 8.8 cm.across.
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