Bizen ware sake cup

This is a newly fired Bizen sake cup by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, who continues to lead the Bizen pottery world with an inexhaustible creative power. This latest piece was completed after nine days and nine nights of firing in the Anagama kiln at Mt. Kaya, which he restored alongside his father, Yozan, and his brother, Mitsuru. This piece features a well-balanced expression of the characteristics of Anagama firing, showcasing a finish representative of Isezaki Bizen, including sesame glaze (goma), fire cord patterns (hidasuki), scorched sesame, and a gradation of white clay and scarlet. Due to the intense firing, the piece is rich in variety; where the rice straw directly contacts the fire, it has absorbed the sesame to create white or thread-like sesame patterns, while other areas have transformed into vivid fire cords that stand out against the white clay, making it a truly spectacular sight. The crisp, brightly fired sesame glaze has an exceptionally refined hue, and the deep crimson, amber, and white tones found on the interior and surface of the clay create a magnificent contrast with the golden yellow of the sesame glaze. Signed wooden box to follow (please allow some time for shipping)
Diameter 7.2cm x 7.0cm x Height 7.1cm Jun Isezaki was born as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a master of elaborate ceramic sculptures. He began learning ceramics from a young age and entered the craft professionally after graduating from the Okayama University Special Fine Arts Course in 1959. His body of work is wide-ranging, encompassing traditional pieces such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceremony ceramics, as well as ceramic walls and objects. In his production, he places great importance on both molding and firing. He is known for a style overflowing with a contemporary sensibility that leverages the unique characteristics of his materials and kilns (anagama, climbing kiln, and electric kiln). He has also released numerous works as a leading figure in relief art. He became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966. From 1978, he served as a lecturer for the Special Fine Arts Course at Okayama University for nine years. In 1998, he and his brother Mitsuru were both certified as Holders of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and in the same year, he began serving as the Secretary General of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association. In July 2004, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government.
Awards: Numerous awards including the Kaneshige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, and the Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition / Prefectural Exhibition Judge