Bizen Guinomi

This is a freshly fired Bizen sake cup by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and who is breathing new life into the world of Bizen ware with his extraordinary sense and skillful sculpting ability. The piece was fired after being wrapped in straw and sealed, resulting in a soft finish featuring only *hi-dasuki* (fire-cord) markings, with no *goma* (ash glaze) whatsoever. The *hi-dasuki* patterns spread gently across the waist and interior, creating a tranquil world defined solely by the white of the clay and the red of the fire-cord. Simple, minimal, and distilled to the absolute essentials, this work possesses a perfected worldview and could be called a sort of ultimate form for a clay-based work. It is a masterpiece that invites you to admire its soft surface while enjoying the process of nurturing its delicate texture over time. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 7.1cm x 7.1cm x Height 7.4cm Koichiro Isezaki was born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The Isezaki family has produced many potters, led by his grandfather Yozan Isezaki, Mitsuru Isezaki, and Jun Isezaki. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, Koichiro Isezaki studied abroad in the United States. He trained for about two years under Jeff Shapiro, a potter living in New York City and a student of his father, which greatly broadened his perspective on art and ceramics. He returned to Japan in 2000 and began his career as an independent potter under the guidance of his father.