Bizen Mentori Yunomi

This Bizen tea cup is by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and has brought a breath of fresh air to the Bizen ware world through his exceptional sense and skillful sculpting ability. Departing significantly from previous designs, this piece is somewhat smaller in style but features a powerful design that makes extensive use of spatula cuts. After throwing the cup on the wheel up to the rim, he inserts a spatula evenly from the middle and cuts down to the base in a single motion. This creates an alternating rhythm between the curves born from the wheel and the straight lines generated by the cuts, producing a fascinating variation in the edges of the piece. The foot is also distinctive, with a complex design that further elaborates on the spatula cuts of the body, resembling a hexagonal nut. The firing is also lovely, with the vibrant, colorful finish characteristic of an anagama kiln. It comes in a paulownia wood box, making it perfect for gifts.
Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 8.5cm × Diameter 8.1cm × Height 7.3cm 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, and he himself aspired to be a potter from an early age. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He learned pottery for about two years under the tutelage of Jeff Shapiro, a potter living in New York City, which greatly broadened his perspective on art and ceramics. After returning to Japan in 2000, he worked diligently at his craft under the guidance of his father and his father's apprentices. In 2002, he exhibited his work at the Tanabe Museum of Art's Tea Ceremony Exhibition for the first time and was selected.