Fujiwara Yū 藤原雄 (1932-2001)

A powerful yet well-balanced Bizen tea bowl by Living National Treasure Fujiwara Yū. The tea bowl is made of a very finely textured, bright orange, unglazed Bizen clay. The only decoration consists of dark red lines running vertically from the foot to the rim of the bowl. To create this pattern, rice straw cords were soaked in salt water and then wrapped around the unglazed clay body. During firing, the cords burn completely, leaving dark red marks on the surface, hence the Japanese name of the technique: hidasuki, or "red cord" or "fire cord". It is a unique type of decoration for Bizen ware produced since the Momoyama period (1573-1603).

When you look inside the bowl, the surface of the inner wall of the vessel shows a soft metallic glow by reflecting light.

Fujiwara Yū, born in 1932 in Honami, Bizen, Okayama Prefecture, the son of Fujiwara Kei (1899-1983), was awarded the title of "Living National Treasure" in 1996 for his continuing efforts to preserve and transmit the traditional techniques of Bizen pottery. Fujiwara Yū was recognized early on abroad as one of Japan's leading traditional potters, resulting in numerous exhibitions in Japan and overseas. His works are collected by many international public institutions and are part of the permanent exhibition at the Fujiwara Kei Memorial Hall (FAN Museum), a wonderful museum dedicated to the work of the family and the Bizen tradition in Okayama.

The tea bowl is signed with Yū's pottery mark and comes with the original, inscribed, signed and sealed wooden box.

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