{"product_id":"p7329","title":"Bizen ware sake jar","description":"This is a newly fired Bizen sake jar by Takashi Soga, who challenges the beauty of antiquity by recreating the same environment in which old Bizen ware was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece was removed from the kiln in May 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo recreate the firing techniques of the old Bizen era, the artist did not use firebricks, which did not exist at the time, but instead fired the piece in an earth-only kiln where modern firing conventions do not apply.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe earth-only kiln itself acts like a single massive piece of pottery, and as a result, the work displays a sublime earthen quality that transcends modern aesthetics and approaches that of old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis time, the artist took on the challenge of an unprecedentedly long firing period of approximately 19 days in total, and the resulting piece is adorned with a magnificent *yohen* (kiln transformation) born from a strong desire to recreate the beauty of old Bizen in this world.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nOn the shoulder, there are traces of fusion with other pieces, which speaks to the incredible heat, and one could even feel that these traces bring it closer to the atmosphere of old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe surface has a unique, high-luster brown earthen texture reminiscent of early Edo period *Ibe-te* ware, and combined with the mustard-colored *goma* (sesame ash glaze) that rained down from above, it possesses a truly profound aesthetic.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDesigned based on an old Bizen *suzume-guchi* (sparrow-mouth) small jar that Soga himself purchased and cherished, it is aptly named a *shuko* (sake jar). It can be used as a *katakuchi* sake pourer holding a little under two *go* (approx. 360ml), or for anything else you might choose, such as a single-flower vase.\n\nSigned wooden box to follow (delivery is generally scheduled for approximately 2–3 weeks, but this may change significantly depending on Mr. Soga's health).\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 9.2cm x 9.0cm x Height 12.5cm; Capacity approx. 350cc up 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 earth-only kiln without the use of firebricks in Kugu, Bizen City.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became independent in 2013 and began his pottery career.","brand":"曽我 尭","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618120716385,"sku":"7329","price":33000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7329.jpg?v=1790232548","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7329","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}