Kuroshuten

This black sake cup is the work of Koichiro Isezaki, who, born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, breathes new life into the world of Bizen ware with his exceptional sense and masterful sculpting ability. It is a sake cup that pairs vertical combed line patterns with horizontal rotations created by carving into the clay. The black surface evokes a steel-like geological strata, and combined with its color, it is as if one is peering into a hole drilled into the earth down toward the mantle. The black slip on the inside has shrunk slightly, creating a crepe-like texture that is truly impressive. Signed box to be provided later (please allow some time for shipment)
Diameter 8.2cm x Diameter 7.6cm x Height 6.7cm Koichiro Isezaki was born the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The Isezaki family is a prestigious lineage in Bizen ware; his grandfather was the Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki, and his uncle was the Intangible Cultural Property holder Mitsuru Isezaki. Koichiro aspired to be a potter from an early age. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He studied ceramics for about two years under Jeff Shapiro, a potter based in New York City, which greatly broadened his perspective on art and pottery. After returning to Japan in 2000, he continued his training under his father's guidance alongside his father's apprentices. In 2002, he submitted work to the Tanabe Museum of Art's Tea Ceremony Exhibition for the first time and was selected.