Jun Isezaki
1936–2026. Second son of Haruyama Isezaki. He reconstructed a semi-underground anagama kiln with his elder brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, and was designated the fifth Living National Treasure of Bizen ware in 2004. He is also known for his ceramic walls and sculptural works.
Jun Isezaki (1936–2026) was born in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a Bizen ware artist known for his skill in decorative and sculptural works.
He learned ceramic techniques from his father from an early age. After graduating from the Special Art Course in the Faculty of Education at Okayama University in 1959, he began pursuing pottery in earnest.
In 1962, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he reconstructed a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln and successfully fired it.
In addition to traditional vessels such as flower vessels, plates, and tea wares, he worked extensively on highly sculptural creations, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.
Isezaki placed particular importance on forming and firing. By making full use of the distinctive characteristics of anagama kilns, climbing kilns, and electric kilns, he established a unique style filled with a contemporary sensibility.
He was also a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs in Bizen ware and produced numerous works, particularly for public facilities.
In 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. From 1978 to 1987, he served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course of the Faculty of Education at Okayama University.
In 1998, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In the same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and secretary-general of its Chugoku Branch.
In 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
In 2004, he became the fifth Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.
Jun Isezaki passed away in 2026.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Excellence Award at the Chanoyu no Zokeiten, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, and recognition as a Person of Cultural Merit.
He learned ceramic techniques from his father from an early age. After graduating from the Special Art Course in the Faculty of Education at Okayama University in 1959, he began pursuing pottery in earnest.
In 1962, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he reconstructed a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln and successfully fired it.
In addition to traditional vessels such as flower vessels, plates, and tea wares, he worked extensively on highly sculptural creations, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.
Isezaki placed particular importance on forming and firing. By making full use of the distinctive characteristics of anagama kilns, climbing kilns, and electric kilns, he established a unique style filled with a contemporary sensibility.
He was also a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs in Bizen ware and produced numerous works, particularly for public facilities.
In 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. From 1978 to 1987, he served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course of the Faculty of Education at Okayama University.
In 1998, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In the same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and secretary-general of its Chugoku Branch.
In 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
In 2004, he became the fifth Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.
Jun Isezaki passed away in 2026.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Excellence Award at the Chanoyu no Zokeiten, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, and recognition as a Person of Cultural Merit.
Biography
Jun Isezaki (1936–2026; born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was born the second son of Yo Isezaki, a Bizen ware artist renowned for his intricate craftsmanship.
He learned pottery from his father from an early age and embarked on a full-time career as a ceramic artist after graduating from the Special Department of Fine Arts at Okayama University’s Faculty of Education in 1959.
In 1962, together with his elder brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, he reconstructed a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln and successfully fired it.
In addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea utensils, he also worked extensively on sculptural pieces, including ceramic wall panels, reliefs, and objects.
Emphasizing both forming and firing, he established a distinctive, contemporary style that made full use of the unique characteristics of anagama, climbing, and electric kilns.
Also recognized as a leading artist in the creation of Bizen ware wall panels and reliefs, he produced numerous works, primarily for public facilities.
He became a full member of the Japan Association of Craftsmen in 1966 and served as a lecturer at the Special Department of Fine Arts at Okayama University’s Faculty of Education from 1978 to 1987.
In 1998, together with his elder brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, he was designated a holder of Okayama Prefecture’s Important Intangible Cultural Property. That same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Association of Craftsmen and executive director of its Chugoku Branch.
In 2002, he created the ceramic wall panels for the new Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
In 2004, he became the fifth Bizen ware artist to be designated a holder of a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property.
In 2025, he was honored as a Cultural Merit Award recipient.
He passed away in 2026.
Major awards and honors: Kanashige Toyo Award; Excellence Award at the Exhibition of Formative Tea Utensils; Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award; Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award; Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award; Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award; Cultural Merit Award recipient, among others.
He learned pottery from his father from an early age and embarked on a full-time career as a ceramic artist after graduating from the Special Department of Fine Arts at Okayama University’s Faculty of Education in 1959.
In 1962, together with his elder brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, he reconstructed a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln and successfully fired it.
In addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea utensils, he also worked extensively on sculptural pieces, including ceramic wall panels, reliefs, and objects.
Emphasizing both forming and firing, he established a distinctive, contemporary style that made full use of the unique characteristics of anagama, climbing, and electric kilns.
Also recognized as a leading artist in the creation of Bizen ware wall panels and reliefs, he produced numerous works, primarily for public facilities.
He became a full member of the Japan Association of Craftsmen in 1966 and served as a lecturer at the Special Department of Fine Arts at Okayama University’s Faculty of Education from 1978 to 1987.
In 1998, together with his elder brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, he was designated a holder of Okayama Prefecture’s Important Intangible Cultural Property. That same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Association of Craftsmen and executive director of its Chugoku Branch.
In 2002, he created the ceramic wall panels for the new Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
In 2004, he became the fifth Bizen ware artist to be designated a holder of a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property.
In 2025, he was honored as a Cultural Merit Award recipient.
He passed away in 2026.
Major awards and honors: Kanashige Toyo Award; Excellence Award at the Exhibition of Formative Tea Utensils; Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award; Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award; Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award; Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award; Cultural Merit Award recipient, among others.