{"product_id":"p7425","title":"Black tea cup","description":"This is a brand new black yunomi (tea cup) fresh from the kiln by Masao Akitani, an artist who studied 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 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCrafted using the \"Kuro-Bizen\" (black Bizen) technique inherited from his mentor Jun Isezaki, the piece features a wonderfully warm black hue that also possesses a deep luster.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe artist uses a special clay sourced near Osafune, close to Bizen City, to which he adds a small amount of cobalt before applying it to the surface of the work, resulting in a stylish and deep black finish.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nOne of the highlights of these black works is the reaction between the cobalt and the natural glaze, known as \"Ao-yohen\" (blue kiln change); this particular piece features a large amount of this blue coloration on the front, giving it a highly impactful aesthetic.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe piece is shaped using the \"shinogi\" (fluted) technique, where thick clay is carved away with a spatula, resulting in a fascinating and visually striking three-dimensional form.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe evenly spaced, uniform-depth fluting completes the solid aesthetic, further accentuating the landscape, which resembles blue flames flickering in the dark.\n\nNo box included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.3cm x 7.2cm x Height 9.5cm\n\nMasao Akitani was born in Saitama in 1968.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe began his apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki in 1998, and after ten years of training, he established 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 work has been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art's \"Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition\" and the Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and he has received awards including the Prefectural Exhibition Prize and Encouragement Prize at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition.","brand":"秋谷昌央","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618142965857,"sku":"7425","price":4400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7425.jpg?v=1790232691","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7425","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}