{"product_id":"p6742","title":"Bizen ware teacup","description":"This Bizen teacup is by Takashi Soga, who challenges the aesthetic of antiquity by recreating the same environmental conditions under which ancient Bizen ware was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo replicate the kiln-firing techniques of the ancient Bizen era, the work is fired in a kiln made entirely of clay—eschewing the firebricks that did not exist at the time and defying the conventional wisdom of modern kiln firing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe clay kiln itself acts as one massive piece of pottery, and as a result, the work displays a superlative \"earthy flavor\" (tsuchiaji) that transcends modern aesthetics and approaches the quality of ancient Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn Soga’s kiln, the kiln itself transforms with every firing, a characteristic that causes the finish of the works to constantly change; this piece features a characteristically subdued hidasuki (fire-cord) pattern with a slight golden hue.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nRather than the sharp contrast between clay surface and fire-cord seen in modern Bizen hidasuki, this piece features a landscape where the fire-cord and clay surface are unified, much like in the unassuming works of ancient Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThough the hidasuki is so delicate it might almost be overlooked, the finish, which seems to seep deeply and moistly into the clay surface, offers a truly exceptional flavor.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nRather than a soft, under-fired scarlet, this piece harbors a \"solidly fired scarlet,\" and the layering of dark, earthy-brown fire-cords masterfully recreates the surface of ancient Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs you use it, the surface will be polished, shifting to a matte texture and drawing closer to the unpretentious, rugged strength inherent in ancient Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt is made exceptionally lightweight through the artist's dedication to his craft.\n\nNo box included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.1cm × 7.0cm × Height 9.0cm\n\nTakashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe apprenticed under Jun Isezaki in 2009, and in 2012, he built a kiln in Kuku-i, Bizen City, made entirely of clay without the use of firebricks.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became independent and began his career as a potter in 2013.","brand":"曽我 尭","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618061701217,"sku":"6742","price":8800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6742.jpg?v=1790231796","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p6742","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}