Item Description 木ノ戸久仁子 Kinoto Kuniko (b. 1976) Kisho-seki (Artificial Crystal Stone) Sake Bottle This exceptional sake bottle showcases the remarkable work of Kinoto Kuniko, a visionary contemporary ceramic artist from Shiga Prefecture who has dedicated her career to the ambitious "World Petrification Project." Through her innovative approach, Kinoto employs traditional ceramic techniques to create what she calls "Kisho-seki" (artificial crystal stones), transforming clay into objects that possess the mysterious beauty and texture of natural stones formed over millennia. Born in 1976 in Shiga Prefecture, Kinoto began her journey in ceramics in 1995 at the Sotoen kiln, a traditional noborigama (climbing kiln) workshop. After spending a year creating works in New Zealand in 1998 and completing specialized training in glaze techniques at the Shigaraki Ceramic Research Center in 2001, she established her studio in Hiei-daira, Shiga, where she continues to pursue her unique artistic vision. Her dedication to this singular pursuit has earned her significant recognition, including the prestigious Shumei Culture Foundation Award in 2008. This sake bottle exemplifies Kinoto's mastery of the Kisho-seki technique. The surface displays a captivating interplay of earth tones, featuring rich browns, warm ambers, and subtle greens that evoke the stratified layers of sedimentary rock. The organic textures and crystalline formations that emerge from her carefully controlled firing process create an almost geological quality, as if this vessel had been unearthed after centuries of natural formation rather than crafted by human hands. The harmonious balance between the vessel's functional form and its sculptural presence makes it equally suitable for serving sake or displaying as an objet d'art. The piece comes with its original signed wooden box (tomobako), protective cloth (tomobu), and pamphlet (shiori), providing full authentication and provenance. The box inscription confirms the artist's signature and title, essential documentation for collectors of contemporary Japanese ceramics. Kinoto's works have gained considerable appreciation among tea ceremony practitioners and contemporary art collectors alike, as she successfully bridges the gap between traditional ceramic craftsmanship and avant-garde artistic expression. Her pieces are increasingly sought after in both domestic and international markets, reflecting a growing appreciation for artists who push the boundaries of conventional ceramic art while maintaining deep respect for Japan's rich pottery traditions. Size Height: 15 cm Width: 8 cm Depth: 8 cm Weight 295 g Condition Excellent condition with no visible damage, cracks, or restoration. The original box, cloth, and pamphlet are included and well-preserved. Artist Profile Kinoto Kuniko (b. 1976) is a contemporary ceramic artist based in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, renowned for her innovative "World Petrification Project." Since 1995, she has pursued a singular artistic vision: creating "Kisho-seki" (artificial crystal stones) using traditional ceramic techniques. Her work explores the philosophical intersection between human creativity and geological time, producing pieces that blur the boundaries between natural and man-made objects. After beginning her career at the Sotoen climbing kiln workshop and completing advanced studies at the Shigaraki Ceramic Research Center in 2001, Kinoto has developed a distinctive approach that combines ancient Japanese pottery traditions with contemporary conceptual art. Her participation in the young object collective "SEEDS" in her early career helped shape her avant-garde sensibilities, while her year-long residency in New Zealand in 1998 expanded her international perspective. Kinoto's artistic practice centers on the meticulous creation of surfaces and textures that mimic the complex patterns found in natural stones. Through extensive research into glazes and firing techniques, she achieves effects that evoke the crystalline structures, mineral deposits, and layered formations typically associated with geological processes spanning thousands of years. This alchemical approach has earned her significant recognition, including the 19th Shumei Culture Foundation Award in 2008. In recent years, Kinoto has successfully expanded her "petrification" aesthetic into functional objects such as tea bowls, sake cups, and vases, gaining appreciation from both tea ceremony practitioners and contemporary art collectors. Her works are exhibited at prestigious galleries including Hakuhakuan in Tokyo and are increasingly collected internationally. Kinoto continues to work from her studio in Hiei-daira, Shiga Prefecture, where she advances her lifelong project of exploring humanity's relationship with geological time through the medium of clay and fire. NOITICE : The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation. It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. I appreciate your cooperation.