Bizen Sake Cup

This is a new Bizen sake cup by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and is breathing new life into the Bizen pottery world with his exceptional sense and masterful sculpting skills. Departing significantly from his previous style, which was centered on cut forms, this piece features soft, hand-molded curves that signal a leap into a new creative stage. Created by pressing his fingers vertically to expand the clay, the gaps between his fingers and the swells of the fingertips themselves add extremely subtle movement to the work; this collection of minute movements culminates in a gentle, enveloping atmosphere. It is mysterious how even the familiar sights of the anagama kiln—such as the moist, well-fired white *kase-goma* (ash glaze) and the deep reddish clay skin—appear somehow different here. Signed wooden box to follow at a later date (please allow some time for shipping)
Diameter 7.7cm × Diameter 7.5cm × Height 6.3cm Koichiro Isezaki was born the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The Isezaki family is a prestigious name in Bizen pottery; 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 Tokyo Zokei University Sculpture Department in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He learned pottery for about two years under New York City-based ceramic artist Jeff Shapiro, significantly broadening his perspective on art and ceramics. After returning to Japan in 2000, he continued his training under the guidance of his father alongside his father's apprentices. In 2002, he submitted work to the Tanabe Museum of Art Tea Ceremony Exhibition for the first time, where it was selected for the exhibition.