Yamamoto Tōshū 山本陶秀 (1906-1994)

This high-quality Bizen tea bowl by Living National Treasure Yamamoto Tōshū. 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).

Tōshū began working with clay at the age of 15, and only 12 years later, in 1933, he became independent. It is interesting to note that he later decided to study further, but not with a Bizen master, but with Kusube Yaichi (1897-1984), who may have stimulated his progressive view of traditional Bizen ceramics. Kusube also helped him master the potter's wheel, which is why Tōshū is said to have made the finest wheel-thrown objects in Bizen.

In 1959, Tōshū made his world debut at the Brussels World's Fair, where he was awarded the gold prize. In the same year, he was named an Important Cultural Property of Okayama. He has been selected as a member of the Japan Traditional Arts Crafts Exhibition every year since 1955. In addition, he has received many awards, such as the Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award in 1972, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Award and the Miki Memorial Award in 1975, the Bizen City Achievement Award and the Purple Ribbon Medal in 1976, the Mainichi Art Award in 1977, the Dark Blue Ribbon Medal in 1981, the Order of the Sacred Treasure (4th class) in 1982, and many others.

This long list of honors and his mastery of the Bizen style with many distinctive, sometimes unusual works led to his appointment as a Living National Treasure in 1987, third in line after Kaneshige Tōyō and Fujiwara Kei.

The tea bowl is signed underneath with his potter mark. Comes with fitted wooden box that is inscribed: Bizen chawan and signed: Tōshū-zō ('Made by Tōshū').

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