{"product_id":"p7490","title":"Bizen Hikidashiguro Sake Cup","description":"This is a brand-new Bizen black sake cup (guinomi) fresh from the kiln by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the world of Bizen ware with an inexhaustible creative force.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is a latest work, fired and removed from the kiln in October 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCreated using the \"hikidashi\" (pull-out) technique for which the Isezaki school is renowned, this sake cup is an exceptionally rare piece; only a few can be produced in a single firing because they must be placed near the stoking mouth and extracted from the kiln while it is still at nearly 1200 degrees Celsius.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDue to the extraction process, the \"goma\" (ash glaze) has gained a translucence resembling amber, resulting in a beautiful kiln-transformation effect that can only be seen in hikidashi works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe black body also takes on a deep, clear bluish hue due to the effect of cobalt in the applied clay; it will likely shimmer even more beautifully when moistened during use.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile most Bizen ware evokes images of intense flames and hot gusts, this black hikidashi piece possesses an entirely different, highly delicate expression, evoking a gentle scene reminiscent of falling rain.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe energetic and intriguing new \"akoda-style\" triangular form also showcases Master Jun's signature touch, beyond just the yellow goma and blue kiln-transformation.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDue to the unique form and the hikidashi firing method, there is a fissure on the base, but the large amount of natural glaze acts as an adhesive, sealing the crack.\n\nSigned wooden box to be provided later (we appreciate your patience as some time is required for shipping).\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.0cm x 6.6cm x Height 7.5cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the second son of Bizen ceramic artist Yozan Isezaki, who specialized in ceramic ornaments.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age, and after graduating from the Special Art Course at the Okayama University Faculty of Education in 1959, he entered the path of professional pottery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, together with his older brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he successfully restored and fired a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceremony ceramics, he worked extensively on works emphasizing formative art, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe placed importance on forming and firing, establishing a unique style full of modern sensibility by utilizing the characteristics of anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a leading artist in the production of Bizen ceramic walls and reliefs, he worked on numerous projects, mainly for public facilities.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 and served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education from 1978 to 1987.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he was certified as a Holder of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property along with his brother Mitsuru Isezaki, and in the same year, he became a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and Secretary General of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2002, he produced a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister's Official Residence.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2004, he was certified as the fifth person to be designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 2026.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and recognitions: Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Formative Art Exhibition, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Person of Cultural Merit, etc.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618181927009,"sku":"7490","price":165000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7490.jpg?v=1790232792","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7490","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}