{"product_id":"p7328","title":"Bizen Sake Jar","description":"This is a newly fired Bizen sake jar by Takashi Soga, who challenges the aesthetic of antiquity by recreating the same environment in which Old Bizen pottery was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece was removed from the kiln in May 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo reproduce the firing methods of the Old Bizen era, the piece was fired in an all-earth kiln that does not use firebricks—which did not exist at the time—and defies the common practices of modern kiln firing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe all-earth kiln itself functions as one massive piece of pottery; consequently, the work exhibits an exquisite texture that transcends modern aesthetics and approaches the quality of Old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis time, the artist took on the challenge of an unprecedentedly long 19-day firing, resulting in a dark brown, Old Bizen-like earth texture with complex accumulations of *goma* (wood ash glaze) and *haikaburi* (ash-covered) kiln transformations.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFusing marks from other pieces can be seen around the base, speaking to the incredible intensity of the heat.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nConversely, the upper section, created through *kabuse-yaki* (covering) firing, displays a deeply flavorful and rich *hidasuki* (fire cord) pattern; rather than a glassy, vitreous finish, it features a matte, subdued *hidasuki* that seems to soak into the skin of the pottery—an irresistible detail.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe design is based on an Old Bizen *suzukuchi* (sparrow-mouth) small jar that Mr. Soga himself owns and cherishes. Named *shuko* (sake jar) as it is intended for serving sake, it can be used as a *katakuchi* sake pourer holding a little over one *go* (approx. 180ml), or for any other purpose such as a single-flower vase.\u003cbr\u003e\n\nSigned wooden box to follow (Delivery is generally expected in about 2–3 weeks, though this may change significantly depending on Mr. Soga’s health)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 9.9cm x 9.7cm x Height 9.1cm; Capacity: approx. 200cc to the shoulder\n\nTakashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe studied under Jun Isezaki in 2009, and in 2012, he built an all-earth kiln without the use of firebricks in Kuku, Bizen City.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became independent and began his career as a ceramic artist in 2013.","brand":"曽我 尭","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618120552545,"sku":"7328","price":27500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7328.jpg?v=1790232545","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7328","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}