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No. 8126
Bizen Guinomi
¥66,000
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Description
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 newly released Bizen Guinomi by the artist.
The piece was formed on the potter’s wheel by Jun Isezaki in January 2026 and later fired by Koichiro Isezaki in July of the same year, making it one of Jun Isezaki’s posthumous works.
It was created during a period in January when Jun Isezaki’s health had temporarily improved. Despite having been made only shortly before his passing, the vessel rises with a remarkably powerful and energetic form.
It is said that his fingernails were slightly long when he threw the piece on the wheel, leaving subtle traces across the body that resemble wheel marks. These lines provide a gentle accent within the relaxed and spacious form.
The humidity brought by prolonged rainfall in July affected the firing conditions in Koichiro Isezaki’s kiln, resulting in Kase-Goma that developed across the surface like a layer of frost covering the vessel.
Vivid Hidasuki markings, characteristic of Anagama firing, also appear across the exposed clay. Against the soft white tone of the clay, the deep scarlet lines resemble flashes of crimson lightning and create an especially striking contrast.
The trimming of the foot also has a distinctive sense of ease and restraint, giving it a deeply expressive character. Looking at it brings to mind Jun Isezaki’s warm smile as he quietly watched over his apprentices in the throwing room.
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.
The piece was formed on the potter’s wheel by Jun Isezaki in January 2026 and later fired by Koichiro Isezaki in July of the same year, making it one of Jun Isezaki’s posthumous works.
It was created during a period in January when Jun Isezaki’s health had temporarily improved. Despite having been made only shortly before his passing, the vessel rises with a remarkably powerful and energetic form.
It is said that his fingernails were slightly long when he threw the piece on the wheel, leaving subtle traces across the body that resemble wheel marks. These lines provide a gentle accent within the relaxed and spacious form.
The humidity brought by prolonged rainfall in July affected the firing conditions in Koichiro Isezaki’s kiln, resulting in Kase-Goma that developed across the surface like a layer of frost covering the vessel.
Vivid Hidasuki markings, characteristic of Anagama firing, also appear across the exposed clay. Against the soft white tone of the clay, the deep scarlet lines resemble flashes of crimson lightning and create an especially striking contrast.
The trimming of the foot also has a distinctive sense of ease and restraint, giving it a deeply expressive character. Looking at it brings to mind Jun Isezaki’s warm smile as he quietly watched over his apprentices in the throwing room.
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.
Details
- Pottery Type
- guinomi
- Dimensions
- W7.1cm × D6.9cm × H6.7cm
About the Artist
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.
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.