{"product_id":"p7335","title":"Bizen sake jar","description":"This is a brand-new Bizen sake jar, just out of the kiln, created by Takashi Soga, who challenges the aesthetics of antiquity by recreating the same conditions under which ancient Bizen ware was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece was fired in May 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo replicate the kiln-firing style of the ancient Bizen era, the artist avoids using modern firebricks—which did not exist at the time—firing the work instead in an all-earth kiln that defies conventional modern firing practices.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nBecause the all-earth kiln acts like one giant piece of pottery itself, it produces an exquisite \"tsuchiaji\" (taste of the clay) that transcends modern aesthetics and approaches the quality of ancient Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFor this firing, the artist undertook an unprecedented 19-day firing process, resulting in a rich, rusty-red clay color characteristic of ancient Bizen, highlighted by the very fine \"kase-goma\" (dry, matte ash glaze) that is Mr. Soga's signature style.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCovering over 90% of the piece, the finely textured kase-goma creates a surprisingly soft, rounded feel that almost defies the typical perception of Bizen ware; it is a magnificent transformation (\"yohen\") that makes you want to hold it in your palm forever.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe base clay has a mysterious, rusty-red hue with hints of orange. As the unique clay surface is exposed—much like the drying, peeling bark of a tree—it achieves a withered, cooled texture in the ancient Bizen style that is only possible through an all-earth kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDesigned based on an antique Bizen \"sparrow-mouth\" jar that Mr. Soga himself owns and uses, this vessel is named \"Shuko\" (sake jar). It holds just under two \"go\" (approx. 360ml), making it perfect for use as a \"katakuchi\" sake pourer, a single-flower vase, or for any other purpose you desire.\n\nSigned wooden box to be provided at a later date (delivery is usually scheduled for approximately 2–3 weeks, though this may change significantly depending on the artist's health).\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 9.4cm × 9.3cm × Height 12.4cm. Capacity: Approx. 350cc 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 built his own all-earth kiln, without the use of firebricks, in Kugui, Bizen City, in 2012.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became independent and began his pottery career in 2013.","brand":"曽我 尭","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618121863265,"sku":"7335","price":33000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7335.jpg?v=1790232557","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7335","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}