{"product_id":"p7954","title":"Kuroshuten","description":"This is a newly fired black sake cup by Masao Akiya, an artist who trained under the fifth Living National Treasure of Bizen ware, Jun Isezaki, and creates highly original works with a fresh sensibility.\nThis is his latest work, just removed from the kiln in February 2026.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCrafted using the black Bizen technique inherited from his mentor, Jun Isezaki, the piece features a black glaze that is both deeply lustrous and warmly colored, which is truly exquisite.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe artist applies a special clay harvested from the Osafune area near Bizen City, mixed with a small amount of cobalt, to the surface of the piece, achieving a stylish and deeply black texture.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nOne of the charms of these black works is the \"blue kiln change\" (ao-yohen), which occurs when the cobalt reacts with the natural ash glaze; this piece features this effect on the front, creating a remarkably impactful landscape.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe interior and back of the cup retain a glossy black finish along with the yellowish sesame-like ash glaze (goma) characteristic of Bizen ware, allowing one to fully enjoy the contrast of black, blue, and yellow.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIts unique form, which resembles a miniature tea bowl, evokes the feel of a Raku ware tea bowl, and its charming appearance makes it a delight to use.\n\nSigned wooden storage box to follow (we kindly ask for your patience as it will take some time to ship).\nDiameter: 7.5cm x 7.4cm, Height: 5.3cm\n\nMasao Akiya was born in Saitama in 1968.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he began his apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, and after ten years of training, he built his own kiln and became independent in Bizen in 2008.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe held his first kiln opening in 2009.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis work has been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art \"The Form of Tea\" exhibition and the Japan Kōgeikai Chūgoku Branch Exhibition, and he has received awards including the Prefectural Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Prize at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition.","brand":"秋谷昌央","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618216792161,"sku":"7954","price":9900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7954.jpg?v=1790233523","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p7954","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}