{"product_id":"p7208","title":"Bizen tea bowl","description":"This is an earlier work of Kuro-Bizen (black Bizen ware) tea bowl by Kenji Takenaka, who transitioned from jewelry design to pottery and studied under Jun Isezaki.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nA curriculum vitae up to the year 2009 is included, indicating that the piece was created around that time.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a member of the Isezaki school, Takenaka was involved in the research and development of Jun Isezaki's \"nuri-tsuchi\" (applied clay) black glaze, and he has developed the Kuro-Bizen series as his own signature work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe black of the applied clay appears as a modern, single-tone color from a distance, but a closer look reveals a delicate blend of various colors rather than a solid black.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe dynamic \"tobi-goma\" (flung sesame glaze) characteristic of an anagama kiln firing, where flames rush deep into the kiln, is also fascinating, showing how the sesame glaze was carried by the flames to the front, back, and interior of the bowl.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWith its remarkably low double foot, combined with its solid and serene construction, the bowl possesses a powerful form that makes it seem as though a Seto-guro tea bowl has been recreated in Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAlthough this is an earlier work, there are no stains or signs of use.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-zan)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 12.1cm x 12.0cm x Height 8.2cm\n\nKenji Takenaka was born in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, in 1957.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCaptivated by the material of clay, he transitioned from a career as a jewelry designer to a ceramic artist.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter completing the Bizen Pottery Center program in 1986, he served as an instructor there for two years.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1988, he began his apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, and subsequently established his own kiln in 1994.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSince then, he has been active primarily through solo exhibitions at department stores and galleries nationwide.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe has had numerous pieces selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, prefectural exhibitions, and the Contemporary Tea Pottery Exhibition.","brand":"竹中健次","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618097909857,"sku":"7208","price":11000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7208.jpg?v=1790232358","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7208","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}