Bizen Hikidashiguro Sake Cup

This is a Bizen "hikidashi-guro" (drawn-out black) sake cup by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the world of Bizen ware with an inexhaustible creative power. This piece was exposed to intense flames at the front of the kiln, waiting for the moment to emerge, finally springing forth cloaked in a landscape formed at 1300 degrees—a realm beyond human touch. It is overflowing with scenery that represents a dimension apart from typical Bizen, with ash from the firing process carbonizing into solid black deposits and the "goma" (sesame) glaze becoming transparent. The interior of the foot ring has been carbonized and rapidly cooled to reveal a silvery sheen, standing out with particular brilliance even amidst the intense scenery of the black-fired surface. (Please note that there is some peeling from the kiln transformation in the close-up photos 8, 9, and 10.) Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 7.2cm × Diameter 7.1cm × Height 6.4cm Jun Isezaki was born as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a master of ceramic sculpture, and learned pottery from an early age. He entered the path of a ceramic artist after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University in 1959. His body of work is vast, ranging from traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceremony wares to sculptural objects and ceramic wall art. In his creative process, he emphasizes both forming and firing. His style is characterized by a modern sensibility that leverages the unique qualities of his materials and various types of kilns (anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns). He is also recognized as a leading creator of ceramic reliefs and has unveiled numerous works. He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966. From 1978, he served as a special lecturer in art at Okayama University for nine years. In 1998, he and his elder brother, Mitsuru, were both designated as Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture; in the same year, he began serving as the Secretary-General of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association. In July 2004, he was designated as a nationally recognized Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property.
Awards: Numerous honors including the Toyo Kaneshige Memorial Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, and the Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Sculpture Exhibition / Prefectural Exhibition Judge