Bizen black tea bowl

This Bizen black tea bowl is by the Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, who consistently leads the world of Bizen ware with an unfading, perennial creativity. While it is a slightly small and understated bowl, the combination of the black-coated clay with its divided glaze and the bold, dynamic yellow sesame glaze (*kama-goma*) radiates a dense presence. The black, well-fired to a lustrous sheen, offers a smooth texture and a high-quality coloration befitting such a vessel. The very sharp, distinct carving along the side of the foot, paired with the slightly compact form, gives the impression that the vessel is gathering power within itself. Furthermore, with its body design left almost entirely unadorned and lacking in deformation, and the mysterious, mist-like yellow sesame glaze emerging on the interior bottom, every aspect of the form and tonal power is concentrated toward the "green of the tea"—the color that will be born into, imbibed, and ultimately vanish within the bowl. Signed wooden box (shihou-san construction)
Diameter 10.9cm × Diameter 10.7cm × Height 8.8cm Jun Isezaki was born the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a master of fine ceramic crafts. He learned pottery from a young age and embarked on his career after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University in 1959. His body of work is vast, ranging from traditional items such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceramics to sculptural pieces, ceramic walls, and objects. In his creative process, he places great importance on forming and firing. His style is characterized by a modern sensibility that makes the most of his materials and kilns (anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns). He is also recognized as a leading relief artist and has presented numerous works in this medium. He became a regular 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 older brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, were both designated as Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture, 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: Numerous awards including the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, and the Excellence Award at the Exhibition of Tea Ceremony Modeling; also served as a judge for the prefectural exhibition.