{"product_id":"p5793","title":"Bizen sake bottle","description":"This is a Bizen sake flask by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who has constantly led the Bizen ware world with his inexhaustible creativity. Featuring the \"AI\" ceramic seal, this flask dates from the artist's middle period, around the time he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. Thoroughly fired in an ascending kiln, the landscape across the piece is so striking that one might at first glance mistake it for a work by his older brother, Mitsuru. The piece features a well-balanced distribution of yellow sesame glaze, sangiri, and gold flashes, with each side of the triangular flask offering a different landscape to enjoy. The side with the gold flashes, in particular, is perfectly suited for pouring sake; allowing a drop to run down and rub into the surface will only further polish its beauty.\n\nSigned paulownia box (shiho-zan) with lid\u003c!--br--\u003e\nRim 3.6cm x Body diameter 8.5cm x Body diameter 8.5cm x Height 12.3cm; Capacity approx. 320cc\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the second son of Bizen ceramic artist Yozo Isezaki, who specialized in intricate decorative works.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nLearning the art of pottery from his father from a young age, he embarked on a full-time career in ceramics after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education in 1959.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, he and his older brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, successfully reconstructed and fired a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceremony wares, he worked extensively on pieces that emphasized sculptural form, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFocusing on forming and firing, he established a unique, contemporary style that drew on the characteristics of anagama, climbing, and electric kilns.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a leading artist in the creation of Bizen ceramic walls and reliefs, he produced numerous works, primarily for public facilities.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 and served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education from 1978 to 1987.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he and his brother Mitsuru were designated as Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture, and in the same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and secretary-general of its Chugoku branch.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister's Official Residence.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2004, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure), becoming the fifth person to receive this honor for Bizen ware.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2025, he was named a Person of Cultural Merit.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 2026.\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSelected Awards and Honors: Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Contribution Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Prize, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Person of Cultural Merit, among others.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618011107425,"sku":"5793","price":70000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5793.jpg?v=1790231079","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p5793","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}