Bizen Yunomi

This is a newly fired Bizen tea cup by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, who continues to lead the Bizen pottery world with an inexhaustible creative spirit. This latest work was fired in the Koyasan climbing kiln that he restored alongside his father, Yozan, and his brother, Mitsuru. It features classic Isezaki Bizen characteristics, such as sesame glaze (goma), fire-cord markings (hidasuki), and a stunning gradation between white clay and scarlet hues. The straw was wrapped diagonally (kesagake) across the piece, creating a hidasuki pattern that circles the entire cup; it is so captivating that one loses track of time just tracing the flow of the markings with their eyes. Furthermore, the front of the cup features two distinct, spotlight-like areas of negative space, combined with a vibrant variety of effects—such as "flying sesame" (tobigoma) created by hot air currents, and natural ash-glaze (vidro)—that make the surface resemble a live stage. While the cup and the box inscription designate this as a tea cup, it is, of course, also perfectly suited for use as a beer glass. Signed wooden box to follow later
Diameter 8.0cm x 7.5cm x Height 9.5cm Jun Isezaki was born the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a master of ceramic sculpture, and studied pottery from a young age before embarking on a professional career after graduating from the Okayama University Art Department in 1959. His body of work is vast, ranging from traditional flower vases, plates, and tea ceremony ware to sculptural pieces and ceramic wall installations. In his creative process, he places great importance on both form and firing. His style is characterized by a modern sensibility that maximizes the unique qualities of his materials and kilns (climbing kilns, wood-burning kilns, and electric kilns). He is also widely recognized as a leading relief artist and has unveiled numerous works. He became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966. From 1978, he served as a special lecturer in fine arts at Okayama University for nine years. In 1998, he and his brother Mitsuru were both designated as holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture, and in the same year, he became the Secretary General of the Chugoku branch of the Japan Kōgei Association. In July 2004, he was designated as a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property).
Awards: Recipient of the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, and the Excellence Award at the Chanoyu Modeling Exhibition, among many others / Prefectural Exhibition Juror