SAKE FLASK “TOKKURI”

Family kiln Taizan (Kurashiki / Inbe district, Okayama Prefecture).

Bizen ceramics, unglazed stoneware body, wood firing.

Second half of the 20th century.

Height — 14 cm.

A collector's traditional flask of classic pear-shaped form with a narrow neck. The design skilfully reproduces the authentic aesthetic of the austere Momoyama-period style. The surface has a rich, rough, “earthen” texture of an earth tone, with noble traces of the high-temperature yohenYohen 窯変 — lit. “change in the kiln”. An unpredictable, unique pattern of shades and scorch marks on the body of a piece, formed solely by the movement of the flame and the settling of ash. effect, natural ash runs and patina.

On the unglazed foot — a clear impressed maker's mark of the Taizan workshop; an authentic vintage shop sticker-certificate of the Japanese department store Mitsukoshi is preserved, showing the selling price (30,000 ¥).

Original maker's paulownia-wood tomobakoTomobako 共箱 — an authentic box of valuable, seasoned wood (often paulownia), made specially for a particular piece. On the lid the master or owner personally inscribes in ink the calligraphic title of the object, his signature and the impression of a personal seal. It is the principal certificate of authenticity. box with the object's title, “Momoyama Bizen TokkuriTokkuri 徳利 — a traditional sake-serving flask with a characteristic narrow neck and a widening body (often pear- or drop-shaped).”, the master's signature and his personal seal.