A CONTEMPORARY BIZEN SAKE BOTTLE (TOKKURI)

SHOWA PERIOD (1950-60'S), IMPRESSED MARK TO [KANESHIGE TOYO (1896-1967)]

Details
A CONTEMPORARY BIZEN SAKE BOTTLE (TOKKURI)
showa period (1950-60's), impressed mark to [kaneshige toyo (1896-1967)]
Of pear form and ribbed along the body, decorated with natural ash-glaze deposits of grey-blue, purple and green on the mouth and one half of the body, potter's impressed mark of the katakana syllable To on the base; in wood storage box inscribed Bizen tokkuri (Bizen sake bottle) and signed Toyo zo and sealed Kaneshige
5½in. (14cm.) high

Lot Essay

Kaneshige, who lived in Imbe, a pottery village now part of the town of Bizen, was one of the most significant figures in modern Japanese ceramics. His importance was acknowledged by the Japanese government when, in 1956, he became a "Living National Treasure". Kaneshige signed his works with the katakana syllable To during the 1950's and 60's.