Kuro Yunomi

This new black yunomi (teacup) is by Masao Akiya, an artist who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates works overflowing with unique originality within a fresh spirit. It is crafted using the Kuro-Bizen (black Bizen) technique inherited from his mentor, Jun Isezaki; the black color, which possesses a profound luster while retaining a sense of warmth, is truly magnificent. It is made using black clay from Osafune Isokami, which is dissolved and applied to the surface to develop the black color, while the intense sesame ash glaze (goma) from the wood-firing kiln blends with the black clay to produce a cobalt blue scorched effect. The evenly spaced, uniform-depth spatula marks are exceptionally stylish, resulting in an avant-garde teacup that is quintessentially characteristic of the Isezaki school. Paper box
W6.5cm × D6.5cm × H9.2cm Masao Akiya was born in Saitama in 1968. He studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki starting in 1998, and after a 10-year apprenticeship, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008. He held his first kiln opening in 2009. His works have been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art's "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" and the Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and he has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition's Prefectural Exhibition Prize and Encouragement Award.