Black Horned Shuten-dōji

This is a new black sake cup by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and has breathed new life into the world of Bizen ware with his exceptional sense of style and masterful sculpting skills. The emergence of Koichiro Isezaki sparked a major shift throughout the Bizen pottery scene, and this innovative work allows you to truly feel the source of that transformative wave. The bold cuts pair perfectly with the black slip, allowing for a deep appreciation of Isezaki's profound black hue. Its creative, square-shaped design seems well-suited not only for sake, but also for Western spirits. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 4.5cm × Diameter 4.4cm × Height 8.3cm Koichiro Isezaki was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The Isezaki family is a prestigious name in Bizen ware; his grandfather was the holder of Intangible Cultural Property Yozan Isezaki, and his uncle was the holder of Intangible Cultural Property Mitsuru Isezaki, and he himself aspired to become 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 learned pottery for about two years under Jeff Shapiro, a ceramic artist living in New York City, which greatly broadened his perspective on art and ceramics. After returning to Japan in 2000, he trained under the guidance of his father alongside his father's apprentices. In 2002, he submitted his work to the Tanabe Art Museum Tea Ceremony Exhibition for the first time and was selected.