{"product_id":"p7486","title":"Bizen ware teacup","description":"This is a newly fired Bizen-yaki tea cup by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the Bizen pottery world with an inexhaustible creative power.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis latest work was removed from the kiln in October 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFired in an anagama (tunnel kiln) for approximately ten days, the piece showcases the quintessential Isezaki Bizen finish, featuring a beautiful interplay of sesame (goma) ash glaze, scarlet fire markings (hidasuki), thread-like sesame markings (itogoma), and a delicate gradation between white clay and scarlet tones.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFor this piece, the artist used a coarse, sandy clay, allowing the individual sand grains to peek through the scarlet gradations.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nRice straw was draped diagonally across the vessel during the firing; the way the hidasuki encircles the entire tea cup is so captivating that one finds themselves losing track of time while tracing the flow of the straw markings with their eyes.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, as the straw burned, it fused with the natural ash glaze, transforming into what is known as \"itogoma\" (thread-sesame) while retaining the impression of the straw.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nInside the cup, the ash carried by the hot air of the anagama has settled like powdery snow, forming incredibly fine, scattered sesame-like speckles.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAlthough marked as a tea cup on the box, it can, of course, also be used as a beer mug.\n\nSigned wooden box to follow (we kindly ask for your patience as shipping will take some time.)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.4cm x 7.3cm x Height 9.2cm\n\nBorn the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a master of ceramic sculpture, Jun Isezaki began learning the craft at a young age and entered the world of pottery after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University in 1959.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis work spans a wide range, from traditional items such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceremony wares, to ceramic walls and abstract sculptural objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn his creative process, he places great importance on both forming and firing, utilizing the distinct characteristics of his materials and kilns (anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns) to define a style rich in contemporary sensibility.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe is also recognized as a leading figure in relief art, having presented numerous works in this field. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1966, he was certified as a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association and served as a special lecturer in art at Okayama University for nine years starting in 1978.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he and his brother, Mitsuru, were both designated as holders of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and in the same year, he became the Secretary General of the Chugoku branch of the Japan Kōgei Association.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn July 2004, he was designated a holder of a Nationally Important Intangible Cultural Property.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAwards: Toyo Kaneshige Prize, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Prize, Sanyo Shimbun Prize, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition, and many others \/ Prefectural Exhibition Jury Member","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618181271649,"sku":"7486","price":44000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7486.jpg?v=1790232786","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7486","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}