Hikidashi-guro sake bottle

This *hikidashiguro* (pulled-black) sake flask is by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and who breathes new life into the world of Bizen ware with his exceptional sense and masterful sculpting ability. It is a piece with a superb balance of blue and yellow, achievable only by Koichiro-sensei, who can truly be called the leading authority on *hikidashiguro*. The blue surface, pulled from the kiln before turning black, could be called a secret color known only to the kiln gods. Despite being a sake flask, it has a very slim profile, with a stylish form that stands up to the novelty of the *hikidashiguro* finish. Signed wooden box (with *shihōsan* lid)
Rim 4.0cm × Body diameter 7.6cm × Body diameter 7.3cm × Height 17.0cm Capacity: approx. 300cc Koichiro Isezaki was born the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The Isezaki family is a prestigious name in Bizen ware; his grandfather was the Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki, and his uncle was the Intangible Cultural Property holder Mitsuru Isezaki, leading Koichiro himself to aspire to pottery from an early age. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he studied abroad in the United States. He learned pottery for about two years under Jeff Shapiro, a potter based in New York City, which greatly broadened his perspective on art and ceramics. After returning to Japan in 2000, he trained under his father alongside his father's apprentices. In 2002, he submitted a piece to the Tanabe Museum of Art Tea Ceremony Exhibition for the first time and was selected.