{"product_id":"p7682","title":"Bizen tea bowl","description":"This is a slightly older Kuro-Bizen (black Bizen ware) tea bowl by Kenji Takenaka, who transitioned from jewelry design to pottery and studied under Jun Isezaki.\u003cbr\u003e\nA ceramic biography covering his career up to 2005 is included, indicating that the piece was created around that time.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a member of the Isezaki school, Takenaka-sensei was involved in the research and development of Jun Isezaki’s black slip (nuri-tsuchi), and he has developed his own black Bizen series as a signature work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile the black of the slip appears as a modern, solid tone from a distance, close inspection reveals it is not just a single color, but a delicate blend of various shades.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe \"tobi-goma\" (splashed ash) pattern, dynamic as if the flames raced straight to the back of the kiln, is fascinating and shows how the ash was carried by the fire across the front, back, and interior of the bowl.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe carving beside the foot rim that welcomes the palm, and the unglazed foot reminiscent of Ibe-te ware, result in a magnificent form that clearly demonstrates Takenaka-sensei's profound knowledge of antique ceramics and tea wares.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAlthough it is an older piece, it shows no signs of dirt or use.\u003cbr\u003e\n\nOriginal signed wooden box (shiho-zan)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 12.0cm x 12.0cm x Height 9.5cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\nKenji Takenaka was born in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, in 1957.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCaptivated by the medium of clay, he transitioned from a career as a jewelry designer to become a ceramic artist.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter completing his studies at the Bizen Pottery Center in 1986, he served as an instructor there for two years.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1988, he began his apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, subsequently opening his own kiln and becoming independent in 1994.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSince then, he has been active primarily through solo exhibitions at department stores and galleries nationwide.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe has been selected multiple times for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the Prefectural Exhibition, and the Chanoyu Modeling Exhibition.","brand":"竹中健次","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618204176481,"sku":"7682","price":11000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7682.jpg?v=1790233095","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7682","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}