Bizen Guinomi

This Bizen sake cup is by Koichiro Isezaki, who was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and has brought a breath of fresh air to the Bizen ware world through his exceptional sense and masterful sculptural ability. It was created using the "kurinuki" (hollowing out) technique, where the form is carved from a solid block of clay, giving it a unique presence distinct from pieces thrown on a potter's wheel. The use of the kurinuki technique allows the spatula to affect the entire interior, creating interesting variations in the movement of the clay. While the form is novel, the firing is a classic Bizen style, featuring a beautiful finish of "goma" (sesame glaze) and "hidasuki" (fire-cord) markings; you can enjoy the deep, nuanced look of the hidasuki draped over the rich, refined clay surface. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 7.9cm × Diameter 7.7cm × Height 6.0cm Koichiro Isezaki was born as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The Isezaki family is a prestigious name in Bizen ware, with his grandfather being the Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki, and his uncle being the Intangible Cultural Property holder Mitsuru Isezaki; Koichiro himself aspired to become a ceramic artist 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 studied ceramics for about two years under Jeff Shapiro, a ceramic artist based in New York City, which greatly broadened his perspective on art and pottery. After returning to Japan in 2000, he trained under the guidance of his father and his father's apprentices. In 2002, he submitted work to the Tanabe Museum of Art's Tea Ceremony Exhibition for the first time and was selected.