{"product_id":"p7009","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This is a new Bizen sake cup (guinomi) fresh from the kiln by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the world of Bizen ware with an inexhaustible creative power.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is his latest work, fired in June 2023.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFired slowly for about ten days in a semi-underground anagama kiln, this piece showcases the quintessential Bizen aesthetic of Isezaki, featuring a gradated interplay of goma (ash glaze), hidasuki (fire cords), ito-goma (thread-like ash), and sangiri (reduced firing effects).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe rice straw wrapped around the entire piece fused with the natural glaze flying through the flames during firing, acting like a fuse to draw in the ash and transform into the thread-like patterns known as ito-goma.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWith a clean white clay base characteristic of anagama firing and scattered, well-melted, glossy splashes of goma, the scenery is simple yet captivating, holding an appeal that invites endless contemplation.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nInside, the ash has accumulated like fresh snow, clinging to the wheel marks left by the artist's fingers during throwing, creating a fascinating effect.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe base features Isezaki’s signature \"uchimon\" (beaten pattern) technique, where the form is gently deformed into a triangle while incising linear motifs.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.5cm x 6.2cm, Height 7.2cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the second son of Bizen ware artist Yozan Isezaki, who specialized in ceramic sculptures.\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 the Faculty of Education, Okayama University, in 1959.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, together with his older brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he successfully reconstructed and fired a medieval-style semi-underground anagama kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceramics, he worked extensively on works emphasizing sculptural qualities, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objets d'art.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe emphasized both the forming and firing processes, establishing a unique style infused with modern sensibility by leveraging the distinct characteristics of anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, as a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs using Bizen ware, he contributed numerous works, particularly 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 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 alongside his brother Mitsuru, and in the same year, he was appointed as 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 recognized as the fifth person to be designated as a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property) for Bizen ware.\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 include: Kaneshige Toyo Award, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Person of Cultural Merit, among others.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618074120289,"sku":"7009","price":60000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7009.jpg?v=1790232117","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7009","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}