{"product_id":"p7421","title":"Black teacup","description":"This is a brand-new black yunomi (tea cup) fresh from the kiln by Masao Akitani, an artist who trained under the fifth Living National Treasure of Bizen ware, Jun Isezaki, and creates highly original works with a fresh sensibility.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is his latest work, just removed from the kiln in June of the 6th year of Reiwa (2024).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCrafted using the black Bizen technique inherited from his mentor, Jun Isezaki, it possesses a wonderfully warm, deep, and lustrous black finish.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFor this piece, a special clay sourced from the Osafune area near Bizen City was mixed with a small amount of cobalt and applied to the surface to achieve a stylish and profound black texture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nOne of the charms of these black works is the reaction between cobalt and natural ash glaze, known as \"blue kiln change\" (ao-yohen), and this piece features a dramatic and impactful display of this effect on the front.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt was created using the shinogi technique—shaving the thick-walled vessel with a spatula—resulting in a striking form that emphasizes depth and three-dimensional appeal.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe evenly spaced and uniformly deep spatula marks complete its solid aesthetic, further accentuating the landscape, which resembles a blue flame flickering in the dark.\n\nNo box included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.1cm x 7.1cm x Height 8.8cm\n\nMasao Akitani was born in Saitama in 1968.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he began an apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, and after ten years of training, he built his own kiln and became independent in Bizen in 2008.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe held his first kiln opening in 2009.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis work has been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art's \"Tea Ceremony Molding Exhibition\" and the Japan Kōgei Association Chūgoku Branch Exhibition, and he has received awards such as the Prefectural Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Prize at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition.","brand":"秋谷昌央","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618142179425,"sku":"7421","price":4400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7421.jpg?v=1790232683","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7421","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}