Bizen Black Sake Cup

This is a freshly fired Bizen black sake cup by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the world of Bizen ware with an inexhaustible creative spirit. Master Isezaki’s pottery style involves ideas expanding one after another while at the potter's wheel, but this piece possesses a somewhat tranquil presence to match its black surface. The thickly fired black is baked through to the core, and its smooth, jewel-like texture is wonderful. Natural glaze spilled from the kiln and struck the interior, creating a very rare landscape of white, straw-ash-like color over yellow sesame (goma) markings. Signed box (shiho-san) included
Diameter 7.1cm × Diameter 6.9cm × Height 7.2cm Jun Isezaki was born as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, an expert in intricate ceramic crafts. He learned pottery from a young age and entered the field professionally after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University in 1959. His body of work is broad, ranging from traditional items such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceremony ceramics to sculptural objects and ceramic wall art. In his creative process, he places great importance on both forming and firing. His style is characterized by a modern sensibility that leverages the unique qualities of his materials and kilns (anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns). Furthermore, he is a leading figure in relief art and has released numerous works in this medium. He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966. From 1978, he served as a special lecturer in fine arts at Okayama University for nine years. In 1998, he and his older brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, were both designated as Holders of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property, and in the same year, he became the Secretary General of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association. In July 2004, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure).
Awards: Recipient of 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; judge for the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition.