Kuro Guinomi

Koichiro Isezaki is Jun Isezaki's eldest son.
He uses a tunnel-shaped kiln called an "anagama."
This work was created around the time indicated in the included artist’s résumé, which dates up to 2005.
It is a rare black-fired piece made in a noborigama (climbing kiln), which is no longer in use today.
Unlike the black tones achieved in an anagama, this piece exhibits a unique coloration distinctive to the noborigama firing process.
Around the shell marks and inside the bowl, the color leans more toward deep purple than black, while the back features a subdued yellow goma (ash glaze) with hints of green—offering many fascinating visual details.
The guinomi was made using Koichiro Isezaki’s signature kurinuki technique, where a solid block of clay is hollowed out by carving with a spatula. Despite its palm-sized form, the work exudes a bold, sculptural presence.
The exterior surface is finely carved and expanded outward from the inside, giving the impression of clay bursting open—capturing a powerful sense of movement and tension.
It has been carefully stored in mint condition since its original purchase and remains unused.

He was born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, in 1974 as the eldest son of Jun Isezaki.
He graduated from Tokyo Zokei University in 1996.
He studied ceramics in New York and began his professional activities in 2000.