{"product_id":"p7460","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This is a brand new Bizen sake cup, fresh from the kiln by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and is breathing new life into the Bizen pottery world with his extraordinary sense and skillful craftsmanship.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is his latest work, just removed from the kiln in September 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIt is a flat sake cup featuring the intense *yohen* (kiln change) that has become Koichiro’s signature, with natural ash glaze covering approximately 90% of the surface area.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile it is a piece created using the traditional *kabuse-yaki* (covered firing) method, in which the vessel is fired atop another piece, Koichiro’s unique approach makes it feel remarkably fresh.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nBecause it was placed in a high-temperature area of the kiln in an inverted position, it received a generous amount of natural ash glaze that covers the entire piece. Its shape is also fascinating, reminiscent of a rain-sheltering straw hat shedding falling rain.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe abundant *goma* (sesame-like ash glaze) is not limited to the outer rim but has flowed into the interior, clustering around the shells used to prevent fusion. This creates both shell marks and *hima* (fire gaps), forming mysterious, butterfly-wing-like voids.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, natural ash glaze crystals, likely fallen from the kiln wall, have adhered to multiple spots on the base and rim, hardening into crystal-like formations that are truly intriguing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDue to the shape of the foot and the aforementioned crystals, there is slight wobbling, but this poses no practical issues for use, such as the piece tipping over.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 9.7cm x 9.0cm x Height 3.5cm\n\nKoichiro Isezaki was born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, in 1974, the eldest son of Jun Isezaki.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he began studying under Jeff Shapiro, a potter living in New York City who was also a student of his father.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter studying pottery for about two years, he returned to Japan, and in 2000, he began his independent career as a potter under his father, Jun Isezaki.","brand":"伊勢崎晃一朗","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618731741281,"sku":"7460","price":30800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7460.jpg?v=1790241545","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7460","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}