{"product_id":"p7850","title":"Bizen Beer Mug","description":"A brand new Bizen ware beer mug, fresh from the kiln by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, who continues to lead the Bizen ware world with his inexhaustible creativity.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis latest work was fired in October 2025.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFired for ten days in a semi-underground anagama kiln, this piece showcases a quintessential Isezaki Bizen finish, featuring a beautiful interplay of goma (sesame ash glaze), hidasuki (fire-cord markings), itogoma (thread-like ash markings), and a striking gradation between white clay and scarlet hues.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe artist has used a coarse, sandy clay for this piece, allowing grains of sand to peek through the scarlet gradations.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nStraw was wrapped diagonally around the mug before firing, creating a hidasuki pattern that circles the entire piece; it is so mesmerizing that you may find yourself losing track of time as you trace the flow of the straw marks with your eyes.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, as the straw burned, it fused with the natural glaze, transforming into what is known as \"itogoma,\" where the delicate impressions of the straw remain visible.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nInside the mug, ash carried by the hot air of the anagama has settled like powdered snow in the form of incredibly fine particles.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile labeled as a beer mug on the box, it is, of course, equally suitable for use as a yunomi tea cup.\n\nIncludes signed paulownia wood box (shōsan style)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter: 7.3cm x 7.1cm, Height: 9.5cm\n\nBorn the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a master of ceramic craft, Jun Isezaki learned pottery from a young age and began his professional career after graduating from the Okayama University Special Art Course in 1959.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis work spans a wide range, from traditional pieces such as vases, plates, and tea ceramics to ceramic walls and sculptures.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe places great importance on forming and firing, developing a style infused with a modern sensibility that maximizes the unique characteristics of the materials and kilns (anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe is also highly regarded as a leading relief artist and has unveiled numerous works in that 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 art instructor at Okayama University for nine years starting in 1978.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he and his elder brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, were both designated as Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Okayama Prefecture. That same year, he became the secretary-general of the Chugoku branch of the Japan Kōgei Association.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn July 2004, he was designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAwards: Numerous honors including the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, and the Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition \/ Served as a judge for the prefectural exhibition.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618211614817,"sku":"7850","price":44000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7850.jpg?v=1790233359","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7850","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}