Bizen Kuro Guinomi

Drawing a wealth of inspiration from the natural environment of his beloved home of Bizen, Jun Isezaki brought a new spirit to the tradition of Bizen ware. This is a Bizen Kuro-Guinomi by the artist.

Fired several years ago, it is a work from the later period of his career.

The piece was fired in a semi-underground Anagama kiln while absorbing a large amount of smoke, resulting in a distinctive luster quite different from that seen on his more typical black works.

On the front, concentrated Kigoma flows downward like a waterfall from a single point. Combined with the fresh, almost moist appearance of the black surface, it creates a solemn and painterly atmosphere.

The work was formed from an unusually coarse clay, rarely seen among Isezaki’s pieces. This rough body has produced a fascinating combination of highly lustrous and matte surfaces not normally found in his black works.

While the front has an almost wet-looking sheen, the interior and reverse are far more matte. Through these areas, the coarse stone particles within the clay body remain visibly present, giving the surface a particularly intriguing texture.

With its two contrasting types of black luster, its powerful yet refined form, and its many varied surface effects, this Guinomi is a work filled with the qualities characteristic of Jun Isezaki.

Jun Isezaki (1936–2026) was born in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a Bizen ware artist known for his skill in decorative and sculptural works.

He learned ceramic techniques from his father from an early age. After graduating from the Special Art Course in the Faculty of Education at Okayama University in 1959, he began pursuing pottery in earnest.

In 1962, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he reconstructed a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln and successfully fired it.

In addition to traditional vessels such as flower vessels, plates, and tea wares, he worked extensively on highly sculptural creations, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.

Isezaki placed particular importance on forming and firing. By making full use of the distinctive characteristics of anagama kilns, climbing kilns, and electric kilns, he established a unique style filled with a contemporary sensibility.

He was also a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs in Bizen ware and produced numerous works, particularly for public facilities.

In 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. From 1978 to 1987, he served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course of the Faculty of Education at Okayama University.

In 1998, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In the same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and secretary-general of its Chugoku Branch.

In 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister’s Official Residence.

In 2004, he became the fifth Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.

In 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.

Jun Isezaki passed away in 2026.

Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Excellence Award at the Chanoyu no Zokeiten, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, and recognition as a Person of Cultural Merit.