Bizen sake bottle

This Bizen sake flask is by the master craftsman Mitsuru Isezaki, who loved Bizen ware and made significant contributions to the Bizen region. True to his philosophy that the essence of Bizen ware lies in the quality of the clay, Isezaki insisted on using high-quality rice field clay. While it may appear very simple at first glance, a closer look reveals rich, viscous shiso-purple and orange hues, further enhanced by a subtle application of gold that elevates the magnificent quality of the clay to a new level. The flask features an "akoda-gata" (pumpkin-shaped) design with vertical ridges modeled after a summer squash; this understated decoration pairs perfectly with the refined, earthy aesthetic that is the centerpiece of this piece. Despite its bulbous shape, the aforementioned akoda design provides ridges that make the flask easy to grip, allowing for a comfortable hold not only by the neck but also by the body. Original signed wooden box (shiho-zan) included.
Rim 4.0cm x Body diameter 10.0cm x Body diameter 10.0cm x Height 12.6cm; Capacity 410cc Born in 1934 as the eldest son of Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki, Mitsuru Isezaki learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age and majored in sculpture at Okayama University's special art course. As an authentic practitioner of tea ceramics, he pursued the aesthetics, clay quality, and firing techniques of the Momoyama period. He alternated between climbing kilns and medieval-style anagama kilns depending on the piece, eschewing electric or gas kilns in favor of firing with pine wood. He became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1964 and received the Toyo Kaneshige Award in 1974. In 1994, he received the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, and in 1998, the 15th Tanabe Museum of Art Grand Prize. In March of the same year, he was designated as a Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property holder. He passed away in August 2011 at the age of 77.
Awards: Toyo Kaneshige Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Art and Cultural Merit Award, Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition, and many others / Invited artist to the Prefectural Exhibition