{"product_id":"p8089","title":"Bizen Black Sake Cup","description":"This is a new Bizen black sake cup (guinomi) by the late master Jun Isezaki, who drew various inspirations from the climate of his beloved hometown, Bizen, and breathed a new era of wind into Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is one of his very final works, fired in February 2026.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe piece was fired for about ten days in a semi-underground anagama kiln, and the clay surface, which has absorbed plenty of smoke, possesses a beautiful luster.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, this piece was baptized by intense flames from the back, causing \"yellow sesame\" (ki-goma) glazes—resembling gold dust from high-quality pine firewood—to spill over to the front in a single surge, where they converge to form a magnificent \"jade drop\" (tamadare) pattern.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe overall luster of the piece and the transparent flowing sesame glaze are reminiscent of \"hikidashi\" (pulled-out) style works, and combined with its smooth texture, it exudes a unique presence.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nInterestingly, the interior (mikomi) has a matte texture with less luster, and the metallic texture, a blend of black and silver, takes on a truly seductive hue when wet with sake.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWith the coloration of the black showing two types of luster and a very large, energetic form, it is a finish characteristic of Master Jun, filled with many highlights.\n\nSigned box by Koichiro to follow later (please note that it will take some time before shipping.)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.1cm × 7.0cm × Height 6.8cm\n\nMaster Jun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was born as the second son of Bizen ware artist Yozan Isezaki, who specialized in craft objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age, and after graduating from the Special Art Course at the Faculty of Education, Okayama University in 1959, he entered the path of pottery in earnest.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, he and his brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, succeeded in reconstructing and firing a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as vases, plates, and tea ceramics, he worked extensively on pieces that emphasized sculptural form, such as ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn his production, he emphasized both shaping and firing, establishing a unique style full of modern sensibility by utilizing the characteristics of anagama, climbing, 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 the Faculty of Education, Okayama University from 1978 to 1987.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he was designated a Holder of Okayama Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property along with his brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, 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 new Prime Minister's Official Residence.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2004, he was designated as the fifth person to be a nationally designated Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property 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 Prize, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, Person of Cultural Merit, etc.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618241433697,"sku":"8089","price":132000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/8089.jpg?v=1790233742","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p8089","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}