{"product_id":"p6356","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This is a Bizen ware sake cup (guinomi) by the master craftsman Mitsuru Isezaki, who deeply loved Bizen ware and made significant contributions to the Bizen region.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nA ceramic career summary up to 1998 is included, suggesting that this piece was created around that time.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis sake cup was fired in one of the most prominent spots within the kiln, resulting in a rich, deeply flavorful aesthetic featuring black-silver ash-covered kiln changes and a subtle golden-hued \"nuke\" (uncovered) area.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe interior also displays a full-surface ash-covered kiln change, with an ink-black sheen that becomes even more intense when moistened with sake.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt features a superb, dense gray ash-covered kiln change characteristic of wood-fired climbing kiln production. The back has a rough, reef-like texture, while the front is smooth with a \"sea cucumber\" skin (namako-hada), making it exceptionally pleasant to use.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece is full of playfulness, which is rare for Mitsuru Isezaki, who typically preferred a simple style. The \"goke-zoko\" (Go-stone bowl) base formed by wire-cutting and the body carved extensively with a spatula are particularly striking.\n\nSigned wooden box (two-way crossbar, no cord included)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter: 6.7cm x 6.7cm, Height: 5.1cm\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, earthy textures, and firing techniques.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe alternated between climbing kilns and medieval-style anagama kilns depending on the piece, strictly using pine wood for firing and never using electric or gas kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1964, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association and received the Kaneshige Tōyō Prize in 1974.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe received 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 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: Recipient of numerous honors, including the Kaneshige Tōyō Prize, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Art and Culture Merit Award, and the Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition; also served as an invited exhibitor at prefectural exhibitions.","brand":"伊勢崎 満","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618049904737,"sku":"6356","price":35000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6356.jpg?v=1790231469","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p6356","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}