Black-glazed sake cup with pulled-rim decoration

This is a new *hikidashi-guro kake-wake* sake cup by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and has brought a fresh breeze to the world of Bizen ware with his extraordinary sense and skillful craftsmanship. While utilizing the characteristics of Bizen ware as an earthen material, he skillfully incorporates essences from his roots in wood carving to create a unique piece that is instantly recognizable as his own. The *hikidashi* (pulling-out) technique, in which the piece is pulled from the kiln during firing, has rendered the kiln changes and the overall landscape translucent, resulting in a mysterious, ore-like hue. By tearing a large ball of clay in two, joining them, and then building the form into a sphere, the artist has created natural ridges and fine wrinkles on the surface of the vessel; these textures alter the thickness of the natural glaze, adding even greater complexity to the shades of the *hikidashi-guro* (pulled-out black). This piece features *kake-wake* (partial glazing), with black slip applied selectively to create a vivid landscape with a clear distinction between white and cobalt blue. Signed wooden box (four-sided lid)
Diameter 9.3cm x Diameter 8.3cm x Height 6.1cm 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 Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki, and his uncle was Intangible Cultural Property holder Mitsuru Isezaki. Koichiro aspired to pottery from an early age. After graduating from the sculpture department of Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He studied pottery for approximately two years 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 his father's guidance alongside his father's apprentices. In 2002, he exhibited for the first time at the Tanabe Museum of Art's Tea Ceremony Exhibition and was selected.