{"product_id":"p7620","title":"Bizen Black Sake Cup","description":"This Bizen black sake cup (guinomi) is the work of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, 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 for approximately 10 days in a semi-underground anagama kiln, the black slip and intense \"goma\" (ash glaze) battle across the surface, creating a powerful kiln-altered finish that covers the entire piece.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFired in a spot where the flames completely enveloped the piece and rushed toward the back, it features a spectacular landscape where over 90% of the surface is covered in yellow goma.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn areas where the natural glaze is thicker, the goma reacts with components like feldspar in the clay body, causing the glaze to repel and create interesting features that look just like lunar craters.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWith its smooth black coloration in the clay areas and an exceptionally large, energetic form, the piece exhibits the signature Isezaki style beyond just the yellow goma and kiln-altered effects.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.1cm × 6.7cm × Height 6.8cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was born as the second son of Bizen pottery artist Yozan Isezaki, who was known for his mastery of sculptural pieces.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age and began his career in earnest after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education in 1959.\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 wares, he worked extensively on pieces that emphasized sculptural form, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe placed great importance on both forming and firing, establishing a unique style brimming with contemporary sensibility by leveraging the distinct characteristics of anagama, climbing (noborigama), and electric kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, as 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 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 designated as a Holder of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property alongside his brother Mitsuru, and in the same year, he was appointed as a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and Secretary-General of the Japan Kōgei Association 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 recognized as the fifth individual to be designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) 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: Toyo Kaneshige Memorial Award, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Person of Cultural Merit, among others.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618201751649,"sku":"7620","price":132000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7620.jpg?v=1790232994","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7620","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}