{"product_id":"p5881","title":"Bizen Guinomi \"Hidari-ma\" (Left-facing Horse)","description":"This is an Ibe sake cup featuring a \"left-facing horse\" (hidari-uma) mark by the late master Mitsuru Isezaki, a dedicated lover of Bizen ware who made immense contributions to the Bizen region.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe \"left-facing horse\" hallmark—proof of a \"first kiln\" firing—is impressed within the foot. This cup was fired during a first kiln firing of the Ibe kiln, which continues to be used by his sons today.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nPlaced in a prime position within the kiln, the cup exhibits a sophisticated gray ash-covered kiln transformation (hai-kaburi yohen) and subtle, golden-hued \"nuke\" markings that offer profound character.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe interior (mikomi) clearly displays the characteristics of the kiln transformation, where aggressive, flame-like patterns blend with the soft, clay-like texture reminiscent of an undulating sea, creating a truly elegant aesthetic.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe base features delicate, ethereal comb-markings resembling cypress-fence or floral patterns, while the area beside the foot shows mountain-path-like carvings, showcasing the astonishing precision of his craftsmanship.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-zan) included.\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.9cm × Diameter 6.7cm × Height 6.2cm\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 in the Special Art Course at Okayama University.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs an authentic master of tea ceramics, he pursued the aesthetics, clay quality, and firing techniques of the Momoyama period.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe skillfully utilized both climbing kilns and medieval anagama (tunnel) kilns depending on the work, strictly avoiding electric or gas kilns in favor of firing with split pine wood.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1964, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association and received the Toyo Kaneshige Award in 1974.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was awarded the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award in 1994 and the 15th Tanabe Museum of Art Grand Prize in 1998.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn March of that same year, he was designated as a holder of an Okayama Prefecture-designated 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: Toyo Kaneshige Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Art and Culture Merit Award, Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition, among many others \/ Invited artist to the Prefectural Exhibition","brand":"伊勢崎 満","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618691960929,"sku":"5881","price":40000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5881.jpg?v=1790240652","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p5881","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}