Bizen black sake bottle

This newly fired Bizen black sake bottle is the work of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, who continues to lead the Bizen pottery world with an inexhaustible well of creativity. The piece captures the very moment the flames swept through it; the side that faced the fire directly is covered entirely in "sesame" ash glaze (goma) from shoulder to base. Overlapping the scorched, blue-tinged sesame glaze are drips of molten ash cascading from the shoulder. The reverse side, shielded from the flames, reveals a somewhat matte black surface. This "Isezaki Jun World," created through layers of gold and matte black textures, never ceases to captivate the viewer.

View the blog post for this sake bottle Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Rim 3.7cm x Body diameter 9.1cm x Body diameter 9.1cm x Height 13.0cm, Capacity approx. 380cc Jun Isezaki was born as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a master of ceramic craftsmanship. He learned pottery from a young age and pursued it professionally after graduating from the Okayama University Special Art Course in 1959. His body of work is vast, ranging from traditional pieces like vases, plates, and tea ceremony ceramics to sculptural objects and ceramic wall art. In his creative process, he emphasizes both forming and firing, utilizing the distinct characteristics of his materials and kilns (anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns) to produce work imbued with a contemporary sensibility. He is also a leading figure in relief art, having unveiled numerous works in that field. He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 and served as a special art instructor at Okayama University for nine years starting in 1978. In 1998, he and his brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, were both designated as Holders of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and that same year he began serving as the Secretary-General of the Japan Kōgei Association's Chugoku Branch. In July 2004, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure). Awards include: Kaneshige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Sculpture Exhibition, and many others. / Prefectural Exhibition Juror