Hikidashi-guro sake cup

This is a new *hikidashiguro* (pulled black) sake cup by Koichiro Isezaki, an artist who was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and who breathes new life into the world of Bizen ware through his peerless sense and masterful sculpting ability. While making the most of the characteristics of Bizen ware as an earthen medium, he skillfully incorporates essences from his roots in fields such as wood carving, resulting in a unique work that is instantly recognizable as his own. For this piece, the artist has scraped out the interior clay with a spatula to finish the vessel, successfully drawing out the full potential of Bizen clay, including the dynamic appeal of the cut surfaces created by the *shinogi* (fluting) technique. The jewel-like beauty of the *hikidashiguro* finish is also magnificent, featuring an ever-changing landscape of cobalt blue colors from kiln transformation and subtle gradations in the folds of the clay that one never tires of admiring. Signed wooden box to follow at a later date (please allow some time for shipping).
Diameter 7.1cm × Diameter including drip 6.5cm × Height 7.4cm Koichiro Isezaki was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The Isezaki family is a prestigious name in Bizen ware; his grandfather was the Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki, and his uncle was the Intangible Cultural Property holder Mitsuru Isezaki. Koichiro aspired to become a ceramic artist from an early age. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He spent approximately two years studying ceramics under the New York-based ceramic artist Jeff Shapiro, which greatly broadened his perspective on art and ceramics. After returning to Japan in 2000, he trained under his father alongside his apprentices. He first submitted his work to the Tanabe Art Museum Tea Ceremony Exhibition in 2002, where it was selected for the first time.