Sake Carafe and Cup Set

This is a black sake cup by Koichiro Isezaki, an artist who is breathing new life into the Bizen pottery world with his exceptional sense and masterful modeling skills, born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The piece is a pair, reminiscent of a black carp and a red carp, representing the two firing techniques that have become synonymous with the Isezaki school. The black piece features a faceted square form that enhances the beauty of the black glaze, creating a captivating landscape with its deep color, luster, and intense *goma* (ash glaze) patterns. The red piece, also with a sharp, faceted square form, is paired with the supple flow of *hidasuki* (fire-cord) markings that appear to wrap around it. With its stylish design, this set is perfect for aperitifs or chilled sake, and would also make a wonderful commemorative gift for a couple. (Please note that the Bizen sake cup has a tiny patch of *goma* glaze peeling at the rim, and the black sake cup has a small indentation on the interior side that occurred before firing.) Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Black sake cup: 5.3cm × 5.2cm diameter × 8.5cm height
Bizen sake cup: 5.1cm × 5.0cm diameter × 8.3cm height Koichiro Isezaki was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The Isezaki family is a prestigious line of Bizen potters; his grandfather was the Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki, and his uncle was the Intangible Cultural Property holder Mitsuru Isezaki. He aspired to become a potter from a young age. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He studied pottery for approximately two years under Jeff Shapiro, a ceramic artist based in New York City, which greatly broadened his perspective on art and pottery. After returning to Japan in 2000, he trained under his father alongside his father's disciples. In 2002, he submitted work to the Tanabe Museum of Art's Tea Ceremony Exhibition, where it was selected for the first time.