Bizen Yunomi

This is a freshly kiln-fired Bizen ware yunomi (tea cup) by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and is breathing new life into the Bizen pottery world with his exceptional sense and skillful formative power. Departing significantly from his previous round yunomi designs, this piece features a bold, spatula-cut design around the base. After throwing the cup on the potter's wheel up to the rim, he applies the spatula evenly from the midsection, cutting down to the base in one swift motion. This creates an intriguing interplay between the curves formed by the wheel and the straight lines created by the cuts, resulting in a fascinating transformation of the piece's edges. The foot is also distinctive, with the spatula cuts on the body becoming even more complex, resulting in a unique shape that looks like a pentagonal nut when viewed from below. Its shape and size also make it suitable for use as a shochu cup or rocks glass. It comes in a paulownia box, making it perfect as a gift. Signed box to be provided later (please allow some time for shipping)
Diameter 8.5cm x Diameter 8.4cm x Height 8.4cm 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 the Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki, and his uncle was the Intangible Cultural Property holder Mitsuru Isezaki, and he aspired to become a potter from an early age. After graduating from the Sculpture Department of Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He learned pottery for about two years under Jeff Shapiro, a ceramic artist living in New York City, which greatly broadened his perspective on art and pottery. After returning to Japan in 2000, he trained under his father's guidance alongside his father's apprentices. In 2002, he submitted his work to the Tanabe Museum of Art Tea Ceremony Exhibition for the first time and was selected.