{"product_id":"p5871","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This is a brand new Bizen sake cup, fresh from the kiln, by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, who continues to lead the Bizen ware world with an inexhaustible creative power. This piece was fired in an anagama kiln for approximately 10 days, resulting in a work that beautifully captures the unique characteristics of anagama firing. Due to the interaction between the iron content in the clay and the natural ash glaze, the entire surface of this piece has taken on a mysterious aesthetic, as if coated in glass. The kiln transformations (yohen) produce hues of black and ochre here and there, which, combined with the overall vitreous texture, give the impression of an飴 glaze, even though it is unglazed Bizen ware. The intrigue of these glass-like kiln transformations does not end there; they also preserve diverse effects such as \"itogoma\" (thread-like sesame patterns) and \"tobigoma\" (scattered sesame patterns) created by the rice straw wrapped around the piece, trapping them within the glassy surface like specimens on a microscope slide. Conversely, the exposed clay surface features a highly matte texture, creating a mysterious work where the ruggedness of rock and the polished clarity of crystal coexist.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san) included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.6cm x 7.3cm x Height 7.0cm\n\nJun Isezaki was born as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a master of ceramic sculpture. He learned pottery from a young age and embarked on his career after graduating from the Special Fine Arts Course at Okayama University in 1959. His body of work is wide-ranging, encompassing not only traditional pieces such as vases, plates, and tea ceremony ware, but also ceramic wall art and sculptural objects. In his production, he emphasizes both the shaping and firing processes. His style is characterized by a modern sensibility that leverages the unique properties of his materials and kilns (anagama, climbing, and electric kilns). He is also recognized as a leading figure in the world of relief art and has unveiled numerous works. He became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966. From 1978, he served as a special lecturer in fine arts at Okayama University for nine years. In 1998, he and his older brother, Mitsuru, were both designated as holders of Okayama Prefecture's Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and he also served as the Secretary General of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association that same year. In July 2004, he was designated as a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property).\u003cbr\u003e\nAwards: Numerous, including the Toyo Kaneshige Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, and the Excellence Award at the Exhibition of Tea Ceremony Modeling; Jury member for the Prefectural Art Exhibition.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618691666017,"sku":"5871","price":60000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5871.jpg?v=1790240640","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p5871","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}