Hikidashi black tea bowl

This *hikidashiguro* (pulled black) tea bowl is the work of Koichiro Isezaki, who, born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, breathes new life into the world of Bizen ware with his exceptional sense and masterful modeling skills. He creates this piece by tearing a lump of clay in two, stacking them, and hand-coiling them into shape; the marks left by the tearing remain, creating a bold, rugged landscape reminiscent of a rocky cliff face that exudes immense power. This textured surface firmly catches the ash (*goma*) in front of the fire, and by pulling it out suddenly and cooling it, the clay transforms into a black as lustrous as obsidian and a mysterious blue as deep as lapis lazuli. The interior presents a different expression, where natural ash glaze has turned into dark green crystals atop a base of faintly shimmering black-silver, making one feel as if they are holding a raw gemstone when gazing at it in hand. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
D14.7cm x D13.7cm x H9.0cm Koichiro Isezaki was born the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The Isezaki family is a prestigious line of Bizen potters; his grandfather was the Important Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki, and his uncle was the Important Intangible Cultural Property holder Mitsuru Isezaki. He aspired to become a potter from an early age. After graduating from the sculpture department of Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He spent approximately two years learning ceramics 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's apprentices. In 2002, he submitted work to the Tanabe Art Museum Tea Ceremony Exhibition for the first time, where it was selected for the exhibition.