{"product_id":"p6583","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This is a new Bizen sake cup (guinomi) by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, who continues to lead the Bizen pottery world with an undying creative force.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is his latest work, removed from the kiln in December 2021.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe piece was fired for about 10 days in a semi-underground anagama kiln, resulting in a sake cup that is thoroughly fired while retaining the distinctive scenery of the anagama style.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis work uses a coarse, sandy clay, giving the entire surface a bubbly appearance mixed with sand grains.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, due to the coarse nature of the clay, the entire piece has taken on a brownish hue, and the characteristic reddish fired texture is intriguing, making it look almost like an antique Bizen piece.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nStraw was wrapped vertically around the entire piece, creating striking variations of hidaski (fire cord), itogoma (thread-like sesame markings), and shirogoma (white sesame markings) depending on the area of the work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt features a simple, vertically elongated silhouette with a base, and the modeling—including the large base that is one of his trademarks—is brimming with the essence of Jun Isezaki’s style.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.5cm x 6.4cm x Height 7.5cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was born the second son of Bizen pottery master Yozan Isezaki, who specialized in ceramic handicrafts.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age and began his career in earnest after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education in 1959.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, he and his older brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, successfully restored and fired a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceremony utensils, he worked extensively on pieces that emphasized form, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and sculptures.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn his production process, he placed great importance on both forming and firing, establishing a unique style full of modern sensibility by utilizing the characteristics of anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs using Bizen ware, he produced numerous works, primarily for public facilities.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 and served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education from 1978 to 1987.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he and his brother Mitsuru were designated as holders of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and in the same year, he became a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and Secretary General of its Chugoku branch.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister's Official Residence.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2004, he was designated as the fifth Living National Treasure for Bizen pottery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit in 2025.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 2026.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and honors: Toyo Kaneshige Award, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Person of Cultural Merit, etc.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618057769057,"sku":"6583","price":60000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6583.jpg?v=1790231658","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p6583","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}