{"product_id":"p7509","title":"Bizen tea cup","description":"This is a new Bizen ware tea cup, fresh from the kiln, by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the Bizen pottery world with an inexhaustible creative spirit.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis latest work was fired in October 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFired for approximately 10 days in a semi-underground anagama kiln, this piece showcases the quintessential Isezaki Bizen finish, featuring a rich display of goma (ash glaze), hidasuki (fire-cord markings), ito-goma (thread-like ash), and a beautiful gradation between white clay and scarlet hues.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFor this piece, the artist used a coarse clay rich in sandy particles, allowing those grains to peek through the scarlet gradations.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nRice straw was draped diagonally across the piece during firing, creating a hidasuki pattern that wraps entirely around the cup; the flow of the straw is so mesmerizing that one easily loses track of time while tracing it with the eye.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, as the straw burned, it fused with the natural ash glaze, transforming into what is known as ito-goma, where the straw's form remains visible.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nInside the cup, fine ash particles carried by the kiln's hot air have settled like powdered snow.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAlthough labeled as a tea cup, it can naturally also be used as a beer mug.\n\nIncludes signed wooden box (shiho-san style)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.5cm x 7.3cm x Height 9.4cm\n\nJun Isezaki was born as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, an artist renowned for his delicate craftsmanship. He studied pottery from a young age and began his professional career after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University in 1959.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis work encompasses a wide range, from traditional items such as vases, plates, and tea ceremony utensils to ceramic murals and sculptural objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn his creative process, he places great importance on both molding and firing, leveraging the unique characteristics of his materials and various kilns (anagama, climbing, and electric kilns) to develop a style infused with a modern sensibility.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe is also widely recognized as a leading figure in relief art, having unveiled numerous works in this field.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was certified as a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 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 Isezaki, were both designated as Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture. That same year, he began serving as the Secretary-General of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn July 2004, he was designated as a nationally recognized Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAwards: Numerous honors including the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Okayama Prefectural Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, and the Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition, among others; served as a judge for the Prefectural Art Exhibition.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618185662561,"sku":"7509","price":44000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7509.jpg?v=1790232822","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7509","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}