{"product_id":"p5961","title":"Bizen ware teacup","description":"This is a new Bizen tea cup, fresh from the kiln in July, by artist Takashi Soga, who challenges himself to create ancient beauty by reproducing the same environment in which old Bizen pottery was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo recreate the firing methods of the old Bizen era, these pieces are fired in a kiln made entirely of clay, without using modern firebricks—defying all common knowledge of contemporary kiln firing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe clay-only kiln itself acts as a single, massive piece of pottery; consequently, it produces an exceptional \"tsuchi-aji\" (earthen texture) that transcends modern aesthetics to approach the look of old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn Soga-sensei’s kiln, the clay structure transforms with every firing, a characteristic that causes the finish of each piece to constantly evolve. This work features a refined, subdued \"hi-dasuki\" (fire-cord) pattern with a hint of gold glaze typical of his style.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nUnlike the stark contrast between the clay surface and the fire-cord often seen in modern Bizen, this piece captures the look of old Bizen, where the cord and the earth appear as one, integrated whole.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThough the fire-cord is so subtle it might be easily overlooked, the finish, which appears to have soaked deeply and moistly into the clay, offers a special depth of character.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nRather than a light, under-fired red, this piece holds a \"solidly fired crimson,\" upon which a darker tone of fire-cord is layered, creating a tasteful, atmospheric surface.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWith continued use, the surface will be polished to a matte finish, bringing it ever closer to the unpretentious, raw power of old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe piece is crafted to be exceptionally light, per Soga-sensei’s meticulous approach.\n\nNo box included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.2cm x 7.1cm x Height 9.1cm\n\nTakashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe studied under Jun Isezaki in 2009, and in 2012, he built a kiln made only of clay—using no firebricks—in Kuguil, Bizen City.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe began his independent career as a potter in 2013.","brand":"曽我 尭","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618695204961,"sku":"5961","price":8800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5961.jpg?v=1790240737","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p5961","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}