{"product_id":"p5885","title":"Bizen Beer Mug","description":"This is a brand new Bizen beer mug, fresh from the kiln, by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the world of Bizen pottery with an inexhaustible creative power.\u003cbr\u003e\nFired in an anagama kiln for about 10 days, this piece showcases the signature Isezaki Bizen finish, featuring a beautiful interplay of goma (ash glaze), hidasuki (fire-cord markings), ito-goma (thread-like ash markings), and a striking gradation between white clay and scarlet hues.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFor this piece, the artist used a coarse, sandy clay, allowing the grains to peek through the scarlet gradations.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nStraw was draped diagonally across the surface, creating a hidasuki pattern that wraps entirely around the mug; the flow of the straw is so mesmerizing that one might easily lose track of time tracing it with their eyes.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, as the straw burned, it fused with the natural ash glaze, transforming into what is known as \"ito-goma,\" preserving the delicate shape of the straw.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe ito-goma continues into the interior, tracing the path of the straw and sliding in a sharp curve toward the bottom of the cup, resembling a lightning bolt striking within.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile labeled as a beer mug, it can, of course, also be used as a yunomi (tea cup).\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san) included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.2cm x 6.9cm x Height 9.2cm\n\nJun Isezaki was born as the second son of Yozo Isezaki, an artist known for his expertise in crafted ceramics. He learned pottery from a young age and began his career after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University in 1959.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis body of work is vast, ranging from traditional vases, plates, and tea ceremony wares to ceramic walls and sculptural objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn his creation process, he places great importance on forming and firing, utilizing the distinct characteristics of his materials and various kilns—anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns—to achieve a style infused with a contemporary sensibility.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe is also widely recognized as a leading figure in relief art, having unveiled numerous works in this genre.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was certified as a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 and served as a special lecturer in fine arts at Okayama University for nine years starting in 1978.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he and his elder brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, were both designated as Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property holders, and he served as the Secretary General of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association that same year.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn July 2004, he was officially designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAwards: Recipient of numerous honors, including the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, and the Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition, among others; served as a judge for the Prefectural Exhibition.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618692026465,"sku":"5885","price":40000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5885.jpg?v=1790240655","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p5885","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}