{"product_id":"p7373","title":"Black mug","description":"These are brand-new black mugs, freshly fired in the kiln by Masao Akiya, an artist who trained under the fifth Living National Treasure of Bizen ware, Jun Isezaki, and who creates highly original works with a fresh sensibility.\u003cbr\u003e\nThese are the latest works, having just come out of the kiln in June 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThey were crafted using the Kuro-Bizen (black Bizen) technique inherited from his mentor, Jun Isezaki, and possess a wonderfully deep, lustrous, yet warm black finish.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe artist uses a special clay found near Osafune, close to Bizen City, and applies a small amount of cobalt to the surface of the pieces, resulting in a stylish and profound black texture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nOne of the appeals of black Bizen works is the \"blue kiln change\" (ao-yohen), which occurs when the cobalt reacts with natural ash glaze; this piece features a large amount of this effect on the front, creating a very impactful appearance.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMr. Akiya’s signature simple yet sophisticated design accentuates the beauty of the deep, glossy black surface.\n\nNo box included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 9.4cm × 7.4cm × Height 8.8cm\n\nMasao Akiya was born in Saitama in 1968.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he began studying under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, and after ten years of training, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe held his first kiln opening in 2009.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis works have been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art \"The Forms of Tea\" exhibition and the Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch exhibition, and he has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Prize.","brand":"秋谷昌央","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618133790817,"sku":"7373","price":5500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7373.jpg?v=1790232614","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7373","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}