{"product_id":"p7548","title":"Bizen ware sake cup","description":"This is a brand new Bizen sake cup, fresh from the kiln, by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continuously leads the Bizen ware world with an inexhaustible creative power.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis latest work was removed from the kiln in October 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe piece was fired for approximately ten days in a semi-underground anagama kiln, resulting in a dynamic finish that showcases various effects such as *hidaski* (fire-cord markings), *koge-goma* (scorched sesame ash), white sesame ash, and amber-toned *yohen* (kiln transformations).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece uses a coarse, sandy clay, allowing individual grains of sand to show through the gradations of the scarlet *hidaski* markings.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nStraw was wrapped diagonally around the piece during firing, creating a striking *hidaski* pattern that encircles the entire sake cup; the flow of the straw markings is so captivating that one loses track of time tracing them with their eyes.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, the gases produced by the straw during the firing process mingled with the hot air, creating a *yohen* effect that transitions from a black-tinged amber to a vibrant scarlet, veiling the entire surface of the work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAround the lower body, the artist has incorporated his signature *uchimon* (beaten pattern), gently deforming the cup into a hexagonal shape while carving lines into the clay.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san style) included.\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.7cm × 7.3cm × Height 6.7cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the second son of Bizen ware artist Yozan Isezaki, who was known for his mastery of ornamental pottery.\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 Okayama University's Faculty of Education in 1959, he began his career as a potter in earnest.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, he and his older brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, successfully restored and fired a medieval-style semi-underground anagama kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea ware, he worked extensively on pieces that emphasized sculptural form, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFocusing on both shaping and firing, he established a unique, modern style that made the most of the distinct characteristics of the anagama, climbing kiln, and electric kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs using Bizen ware, he produced numerous works, primarily for public facilities.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966, and from 1978 to 1987, he served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he and his brother Mitsuru were designated as Holders of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and in the same year, he became a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and Secretary-General of its Chugoku branch.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the Prime Minister's Official Residence.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2004, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure), the fifth person to receive this recognition 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 honors include the Toyo Kaneshige Prize, the Excellence Award at the Exhibition of Tea Ceremony Modeling, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, and designation as a Person of Cultural Merit.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618193920097,"sku":"7548","price":66000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7548.jpg?v=1790232887","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7548","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}