Bizen Free Cup

This new Bizen free cup, freshly fired in the kiln of Masao Akitani, showcases his unique originality born from a fresh spirit, following his apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The intense hot air blasted within the anagama kiln has formed black, bead-like drips reminiscent of Shigaraki "vidro" (natural ash glaze). Other parts of the cup also feature spectacular kiln changes (yohen) caused by the fierce flames, with highly impressive elements such as whitened ash-covered surfaces and yellow sesame-like glaze (goma) that appears to have frozen in place as it flowed down the vessel's body. The form represents an evolution of the traditional Isezaki school’s signature pinched-waist silhouette, resulting in a stunning design that creates the illusion that the clay might twist right off. Paper box
Diameter 7.3cm x 7.0cm x Height 10.4cm Masao Akitani was born in Saitama in 1968. He apprenticed under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki starting in 1998, and after ten years of training, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008. He held his first kiln firing in 2009. He has been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art’s "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" and the Japan Kōgei Association Chūgoku Branch Exhibition, and has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Award.