{"product_id":"p6562","title":"Red and Black Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This is a crimson-and-black Bizen ware sake cup by Kenji Takenaka, an artist who transitioned from jewelry design to ceramics and studied under Jun Isezaki.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a member of the Isezaki school, Takenaka was involved in the research and development of black slip (nuri-tsuchi), and this piece is representative of his signature Black Bizen series.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile the black of the slip appears as a single modern shade from a distance, a closer look reveals a delicate complexity of blended colors rather than a flat, solid black.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWithin the exquisite color variations characteristic of an anagama kiln firing, the piece is decorated with a soft crimson glaze; despite the intense combination of black and red, it retains the warmth typical of earthenware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIts unique, box-like design with raised square sides is meticulously crafted down to the finest detail, resulting in a stunning work that resembles a small vase.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.4cm x 6.2cm, Height 6.1cm\n\nKenji Takenaka was born in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, in 1957.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCaptivated by the medium of clay, he transitioned from a career as a jewelry designer to become a ceramic artist.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter completing his studies at the Bizen Pottery Center in 1986, he served as an instructor there for two years.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1988, he began an apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, and in 1994, he fired his first kiln and became independent.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSince then, he has been active primarily through solo exhibitions at department stores and galleries across Japan.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe has been selected numerous times for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, and the Chanoyu Ceramic Art Exhibition.","brand":"竹中健次","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618057343073,"sku":"6562","price":25000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6562.jpg?v=1790231642","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p6562","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}