Bizen Yunomi

Born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, Koichiro Isezaki brings a fresh spirit to the world of Bizen ware through his exceptional sense of design and remarkable skill in forming clay. This is a newly fired Bizen Yunomi by the artist.

Fresh from the kiln in July 2026, it is one of his latest works.

While making full use of the distinctive qualities of Bizen clay, Isezaki skillfully incorporates elements drawn from wood carving, one of the roots of his artistic practice, creating a unique work that is immediately recognizable as his own.

This firing took place in the height of summer, and the humidity brought by prolonged rainfall affected the conditions inside the Anagama kiln. As a result, delicate, softly emerging scarlet tones developed across the surface, together with Kase-Goma around the rim.

Although the overall form is a simple cylindrical Yunomi, the design below the waist is particularly distinctive. A subtle step has been formed around the lower body, while the base itself is gently rounded, creating an intriguing silhouette.

The clean and refreshing coloring characteristic of Anagama firing harmonizes beautifully with the simple yet sophisticated design. The result is a work that fits naturally into contemporary living spaces while retaining the distinctive character of Bizen ware.

The Yunomi comes with a Paulownia wood box, making it an excellent choice as a gift or commemorative piece.

He was born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the eldest son of Jun Isezaki in 1974.
He graduated from Tokyo Zokei University in 1996.
He studied ceramics in NY and has been active since 2000.