Bizen Tea Cup

This is a newly fired Bizen tea cup by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, who continues to lead the Bizen pottery world with his inexhaustible creativity. It is a latest work fired in the Anagama kiln he restored alongside his father, Yozan, and his brother, Mitsuru, and it beautifully displays the distinct characteristics of Anagama firing. The intense heat of the firing has caused the iron in the clay to react with the ash (goma), resulting in a texture reminiscent of amber glaze. The amber-colored areas, which have taken on a smooth texture, provide a delightful sense of coolness to the touch and a refreshing visual appeal if chilled before use. Fine ash deposits land squarely on the bottom of the interior, evoking the powerful flames characteristic of an Anagama kiln, unlike those seen in a climbing kiln. Signed wooden box (Shihozan style)
Diameter 7.5cm × Diameter 7.3cm × Height 9.1cm Jun Isezaki was born as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, an expert in sculptural pottery, and learned the art of ceramics from a young age. After graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University in 1959, he entered the path of a professional ceramic artist. His body of work is vast, ranging from traditional pieces like vases, plates, and tea ceremony utensils to sculptural objects and ceramic wall art. In his creative process, he places great emphasis on both shaping and firing, utilizing the unique characteristics of his materials and various kilns (Anagama, Noborigama, and electric kilns) to develop a style infused with a modern sensibility. He is also a leading figure in relief art, having presented numerous works in this field. He became a regular 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 brother, Mitsuru, were both designated as holders of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and that same year, he became the executive secretary of the Chugoku branch of the Japan Kōgei Association. In July 2004, he was designated as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) by the Japanese government.
Awards and honors: Recipient of the Kaneshige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Sculpture Exhibition, and many others / Juror for Prefectural Exhibitions