Bizen ware plate

This is a Bizen plate just out of the kiln by Masao Akitani, a ceramicist who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates works brimming with unique originality within a new spirit. These are the first new works by Masao Akitani in approximately two years since his last kiln firing. Much like his mentor Jun Isezaki, Akitani-sensei aims to create pieces that resonate with a contemporary sensibility, and this plate features an orthodox yet sophisticated design that is truly exceptional. After stacking the plates, a black slip was applied only to the outer edges before firing; the combination of this black rim and the mist-like "goma" (ash glaze) that penetrated the gaps between the stacked pieces creates an atmosphere reminiscent of maki-e lacquerware. A vivid, bright red "hidasuki" (fire-cord) pattern is boldly spread across both the front and back, serving as a dynamic, lightning-like contrast to the "static" black and goma maki-e-style aesthetic. It is an eight-sun size suitable for any purpose, with a slight depth that makes it very easy to handle, and we highly recommend it as it is reasonably priced for an eight-sun piece. Paper box
Diameter 24.4cm × 24.2cm × Height 4.5cm Masao Akitani was born in Saitama in 1968. He studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki from 1998, and after ten years of apprenticeship, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008. He held his first kiln firing in 2009. His work has been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art's "The Art of Tea" exhibition and the Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch exhibition, and he has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Award and the Encouragement Award.