{"product_id":"p7000","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This is a brand-new Bizen-yaki sake cup (guinomi), freshly removed from the kiln by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the world of Bizen-yaki with an inexhaustible creative power.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is a latest work, fired in June 2023.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhen one speaks of anagama (tunnel kiln) yohen (kiln transformation), it is common to see a combination of abundant sesame-like ash glaze (goma) and powerful red cord markings (hidaski). However, this piece was fired without direct contact with natural glaze, making it, in a sense, a true \"anagama hidaski.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMuch like hidaski fired in a noborigama (climbing kiln), this piece was fired as if steamed, protected from direct contact with fire. Within its rich, supple texture, subtle red cord markings remain, which were used to prevent the piece from adhering to others during the firing process.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe exposed white clay surface, having completely avoided natural glaze, is remarkably soft and fine-grained, resulting in a finish that makes you want to keep rubbing it in the palm of your hand.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nExcept for the red cord markings around the base, the interior is entirely composed of the white clay surface, which pairs beautifully with the clear hue of sake.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe design is simple, with a tall silhouette and a foot, matching perfectly with the clean, white-clay-dominant aesthetic.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDue to the shape of the foot, it is slightly unstable when empty, but becomes stable once filled.\n\nOriginal signed box (shiho-zan)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.7cm x 6.6cm x Height 6.7cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the second son of Bizen-yaki artist Yozan Isezaki, who specialized in ceramic ornaments.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe learned pottery techniques from his father from an early age, and after graduating from the Special Art Course at the Faculty of Education, Okayama University in 1959, he entered the path of pottery in earnest.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, together with his older brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he 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 wares, he worked extensively on pieces that emphasized sculptural form, such as ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn his creative process, he emphasized both forming and firing, establishing a unique style overflowing with a contemporary sensibility that made the most of the characteristics of anagama, noborigama, and electric kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, as a leading artist in the production of Bizen-yaki ceramic walls and reliefs, he created numerous works, mainly 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 the Faculty of Education, Okayama University from 1978 to 1987.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture along with his brother Mitsuru Isezaki, and in the same year, he assumed the positions of Director of the Japan Kōgei Association and Secretary-General of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association.\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 recognized as the fifth person to be designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for Bizen-yaki.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 2026.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and honors: Kanamichi Toyo Award, Excellence Award at the Chanoyu Sculpture Exhibition, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, Person of Cultural Merit, etc.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618073661537,"sku":"7000","price":60000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7000.jpg?v=1790232106","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7000","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}