{"product_id":"p8140","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"Drawing inspiration from his beloved hometown and the natural environment of Bizen,\u003cbr\u003e\nthis new Bizen sake cup by Jun Isezaki is a work that breathed the spirit of a new era into Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nJun Isezaki formed this piece on a potter’s wheel in January 2026,\u003cbr\u003e\nand it was fired by Koichiro Isezaki in July of the same year, making it Jun’s final work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nJun created this piece around January of this year when he was feeling well,\u003cbr\u003e\nand it rises with a strength that belies the fact that it was made just before he passed away.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis fingernails were reportedly slightly overgrown when he threw this piece on the wheel,\u003cbr\u003e\nand they left wheel marks on the body, providing a subtle accent to the relaxed form.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe humidity caused by the long rains in July affected Koichiro Isezaki’s firing,\u003cbr\u003e\ncreating a frosted sesame glaze that appears to cover the piece.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe unglazed clay body features vivid red-orange flame markings characteristic of wood-firing in an anagama kiln,\u003cbr\u003e\nresembling streaks of crimson lightning across the soft white clay, making it a truly striking piece.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe foot also has a distinctive, relaxed carving that adds to its charm,\u003cbr\u003e\nand looking at it brings to mind Jun Isezaki’s smile as he gently watched over his disciples in the pottery studio.\n\nKoichiro Isezaki box (four-sided box)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.3 cm × 7.0 cm × Height 5.7 cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026; born in Ine, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was born the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a Bizen ware artist renowned for his intricate decorative works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe learned pottery from his father from an early age and began his career in earnest after graduating from the Special Department of Fine Arts at Okayama University’s Faculty of Education in 1959.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, he reconstructed a medieval semi-subterranean anagama kiln with his older brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, and successfully fired it.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea ware, he also worked extensively on sculptural pieces, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe placed great importance on both forming and firing, establishing a distinctive, contemporary style that made full use of the unique characteristics of anagama, climbing, and electric kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAlso recognized as a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs in Bizen ware, he produced numerous works, primarily for public facilities.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became a full member of the Japan Association of Craftsmen in 1966 and served as a lecturer at Okayama University’s Special Department of Fine Arts from 1978 to 1987.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he and his older brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, were both designated as holders of Okayama Prefecture’s Important Intangible Cultural Property, and that same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Association of Craftsmen and executive director of its Chugoku Branch.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2002, he created the ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister’s Official Residence.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2004, he became the fifth Bizen ware artist to be designated a holder of a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2025, he was honored as a Person of Merit for Cultural Contributions.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 2026.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and honors: Kanashige Toyo Award, Excellence Award at the Exhibition of Formative Tea Ware, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award for Cultural Contributions, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Person of Merit for Cultural Contributions, and others","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49438052188257,"sku":"8140","price":66000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/8140.jpg?v=1792532702","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p8140","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}