Kuroshuton

This new hand-coiled black sake cup is the work of Koichiro Isezaki, who was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and who is breathing new life into the world of Bizen ware with his extraordinary sense and skillful craftsmanship. Created for this latest kiln firing, this hand-coiled sake cup was made by slowly building up clay that had been rolled into a flat slab. The gentle curves created by hand-coiling and the finger marks remaining on the clay surface evoke a presence that is as gentle yet dignified as a Raku-ware piece. The cup seems like a hybrid of Bizen and Kuro-Raku, and it beautifully expresses the black color containing a scarlet hue that Koichiro strives to achieve. The glossy black surface, fired to perfection, is well complemented by the understated, austere yellow sesame glaze. Signed wooden box to be provided at a later date (please note that it will take some time to ship)
Diameter 7.3cm x Diameter 7.0cm x Height 6.2cm Koichiro Isezaki was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The Isezaki family is a prestigious name in Bizen pottery; his grandfather was Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki, and his uncle was Intangible Cultural Property holder Mitsuru Isezaki, and Koichiro himself aspired to become a potter from an early age. After graduating from the sculpture department of 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 ceramics. After returning to Japan in 2000, he trained under the guidance of his father alongside his father's apprentices. In 2002, he submitted work to the Tanabe Art Museum Tea Ceremony Exhibition for the first time and was selected.