Bizen Yohen Sake Cup

This is a newly fired Bizen yohen sake cup by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the Bizen ware world with an inexhaustible creative spirit. Due to the influence of large-scale works like ceramic panels created for this firing, this piece was fired at an extremely high temperature, resulting in a sake cup with a remarkably powerful aesthetic. The ash-covered yohen (kiln-change) glaze offers a flavor distinct from that of a climbing kiln, and the scorched sections shimmer beautifully. The "uchimon" (stamped pattern) technique, used here to create a hexagonal shape while impressing patterns with wooden boards, is characteristic of Isezaki's style. Signed wooden box to be provided later (shipping will take some time).
Diameter 6.7cm × Diameter 6.5cm × Height 7.4cm Jun Isezaki was born as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a master of ceramic ornamentation. He learned pottery from a young age and embarked on his career after graduating from the Okayama University Special Art Course in 1959. His works span a wide range, from traditional vases, plates, and tea ceramics to ceramic wall reliefs and sculptures. He places great emphasis on both shaping and firing, utilizing the unique characteristics of various materials and kilns—including anagama, climbing kilns, and electric kilns—to create works imbued with a modern sensibility. He is also a leading artist in the field of ceramic reliefs and has produced numerous works. He became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 and served as a special art lecturer at Okayama University for nine years starting in 1978. In 1998, he and his brother, Mitsuru, were both designated as Holders of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and he also served as Secretary General of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association that same year. In July 2004, he was designated as a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property).
Awards and honors: Numerous awards including the Toyo Kaneshige Prize, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Prize, and Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition / Served as a juror for the prefectural exhibition.