{"product_id":"p5879","title":"Bizen-ware crane-neck flower vase","description":"This is a Bizen hidaski (fire-cord) crane-neck flower vase by the master craftsman Mitsuru Isezaki, a man who loved Bizen ware and made immense contributions to the Bizen region.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCreated between his early and mid-career, this piece showcases the skill for which Mitsuru was renowned, even in his youth; the deep, flavorful *mogusa* (moxa-colored) clay is adorned with a magnificent Momoyama-style hidaski pattern, resulting in a truly superb finish.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAmong unglazed Bizen stoneware, hidaski is unique for showcasing a bare surface that avoids even natural ash glazes, allowing the potter's wheel work to remain fully visible.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, the crane-neck vase, which has been prized as a masterpiece since the Ko-Bizen (Old Bizen) era, is exceptionally difficult to throw on the wheel, making a hidaski crane-neck vase a piece of very high technical difficulty.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDespite the complexity of the piece, it possesses an effortless, beautiful, and elegant appearance, serving as a testament to Mitsuru's immense skill and his deep respect for the tradition of Ko-Bizen.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 11.0cm x Diameter 10.8cm x Height 20.2cm\n\nMitsuru Isezaki was born in 1934 as the eldest son of the Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki. He learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age and majored in sculpture at the Okayama University Special Art Course.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs an authentic master of tea ceramics, he pursued Momoyama-style forms, clay qualities, and firing techniques.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe skillfully utilized both climbing kilns and medieval-style anagama kilns depending on the piece, and insisted on firing exclusively with pine wood, never resorting to electric or gas kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1964 and received the Kaneshige Tōyō Prize in 1974.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1994, he received the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, and in 1998, he won the 15th Tanabe Museum of Art Grand Prize.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn March of that same year, he was designated as a Holder of Okayama Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in August 2011 at the age of 77.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAwards: Recipient of numerous awards, including the Kaneshige Tōyō Prize, the Okayama Prefectural Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Art and Cultural Merit Award, and the Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition \/ Prefectural Exhibition Guest Artist","brand":"伊勢崎 満","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618015203425,"sku":"5879","price":45000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5879.jpg?v=1790231130","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p5879","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}