A very unusual Ao-Bizen (Blue Bizen) Natsume tea container by Kishimoto Akihiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Bizen Natsume.It is 7 cm (3 inches) diameter, 6 cm (2-1/2 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Kishimoto Akihiko was born in Bizen in 1955, and apprenticed under Konishi Tozo.He began exhibiting in 1973, and opened his own kiln in 1977. He has exhibited and been awarded at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition, Nihon Dento Kogeiten (National Traditional Crafts Exhibition), and Nihon Shin Kogeiten (National New Crafts Exhibition) among many others.
