Bizen-yaki (Bizen ware) guinomi (sake cup) by ceramic artist Masayuki Shimizu, zodiac sign: Dog, rare, new. Bizen-yaki is a type of pottery that utilizes the texture of the clay without using glaze. It is characterized by the changing patterns that occur during high-temperature firing, depending on the conditions within the kiln. The "kanyo" (kiln change) of the clay, hardened and fired solely by the flames of the wood, is unique and one-of-a-kind. This is a guinomi by Masayuki Shimizu, a Bizen-yaki artist, the art of fire. Masayuki Shimizu (Shimizu Masayuki) - Ceramic History 1967: Fascinated by the unique "clay" of Bizen-yaki, he became a disciple of Tougaku Mori. <Omitted> 1987: Held a pottery exhibition at Tenmaya, Okayama Prefecture. 1991: Held a pottery exhibition at Gallery Okumura, Shibuya, Tokyo (held biennially thereafter). 1992: Held a pottery exhibition at Odakyu Department Store, Shinjuku, Tokyo (held biennially thereafter). June 2011: Held a 35th-anniversary pottery exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi. March 2012: Held a Mori Tougaku Great Kiln School Exhibition at Ashikawakaikan, Tenmaya, Okayama. Major Awards 17th Bizen Toushinkai Exhibition "Sanyo Shimbun Award" / Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition / Selected for the Tea Ceremony Sculpture Exhibition / Selected for the Nisshin Menbachi Exhibition About twenty years ago, while traveling in Okayama, I walked through a town known as the home of Bizen-yaki and was deeply moved by the history and culture of Bizen-yaki, and purchased this piece. This is a very rare zodiac guinomi, so please pick it up and enjoy it. Thank you.