{"product_id":"p5994","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This is a new Bizen sake cup by Takashi Soga, an artist who challenges the beauty of antiquity by recreating the same conditions in which Old Bizen (Ko-Bizen) was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo replicate the kiln-firing style of the Old Bizen era, the artist does not use firebricks, which did not exist at the time; instead, the work is fired in a kiln made entirely of clay, where modern firing conventions do not apply.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe all-clay kiln itself acts as one massive piece of pottery, which is why the work transcends modern aesthetics to reveal a superb \"tsuchiaji\" (texture of the clay) that rivals that of Old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn Mr. Soga’s kiln, the clay structure itself undergoes transformation with every firing, which causes the finish of the pieces to change constantly. This particular work features the understated \"hidasuki\" (fire-cord) patterns characteristic of Mr. Soga, accented with a subtle hint of gold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nUnlike the sharp contrast between the clay surface and the hidasuki seen in modern Bizen, this piece exhibits the unified, natural landscape where the hidasuki and clay surface have merged, much like that found in the casual works of Old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThough the hidasuki is so delicate it might almost be overlooked, it has shifted to a blue-silver hue reminiscent of Aobizen (blue Bizen), standing out brilliantly against the deep red clay.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece does not possess the soft red of an underfired kiln, but rather a \"firmly fired scarlet,\" and the matte texture combined with the exposed grains of sand on the surface creates an exquisite depth of character.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs you use it, the surface will gradually polish and transition to an even more matte finish, drawing closer to the unpretentious, raw strength inherent in Old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile the simple form remains consistent with his previous works, this piece is slightly thicker.\n\nSigned wooden box (Shiho-san) included.\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter: 7.5cm x 7.5cm; Height: 4.3cm\n\nTakashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe began studying under Jun Isezaki in 2009 and built his own all-clay kiln without the use of firebricks in Kugu-i, Bizen City, in 2012.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became an independent ceramic artist in 2013.","brand":"曽我 尭","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618701398113,"sku":"5994","price":16500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5994.jpg?v=1790240773","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p5994","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}