Bizen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and who is breathing new life into the world of Bizen ware with his exceptional sense and masterful sculpting ability. Marking a significant shift from his previous cutting-based designs, this piece features soft curves created by hand-kneading, hinting at a leap toward a new stage in his work. He mixed a somewhat coarser soil into the Bizen clay, resulting in a smooth, washi paper-like texture, with faint, marbled sandy patterns visible just beneath the surface. The blended clay also makes the *hidasuki* (fire-cord) markings more vibrant; the firing in the wood-fired kiln allows you to fully enjoy a variety of *hidasuki* effects, including thin lines, bold strokes, and broad washes of scarlet color. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 8.3cm × 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 lineage in Bizen ware, with his grandfather, Yozan Isezaki, and uncle, Mitsuru Isezaki, both being designated holders of Intangible Cultural Property; he, too, aspired to pottery from an early age. After graduating from the sculpture department of Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He learned pottery 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 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’s Tea Ceremony Exhibition for the first time, where it was selected.