Yohen Sake Cup

This is a new yohen (kiln-altered) sake cup by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born 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 ability. This piece is part of his signature series of square-shaped sake cups, sharply carved from clay, now rendered in a kiln-altered finish. It features the distinctive light gray ash glaze and reddish-brown "nuke" (clear patches) typical of an anagama kiln, resulting in a work full of highlights that allows one to enjoy both his innovative form and the characteristic variations in Bizen clay. Its unique, unparalleled design makes it suitable for enjoying not only Japanese sake but also Western spirits. Signed wooden box to be provided later (please allow some time for shipping).
Diameter 4.6cm x Diameter 4.5cm x Height 9.1cm Koichiro Isezaki was born 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. Koichiro aspired to be a potter from an early age. After graduating from the Tokyo Zokei University Department of Sculpture in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He trained for about two years under Jeff Shapiro, a potter based in New York City, which greatly broadened his perspective on art and ceramics. Upon returning to Japan in 2000, he continued his training under his father's guidance alongside his father's apprentices. He first exhibited and was selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art Tea Ceremony Exhibition in 2002.