{"product_id":"p5953","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This is a new Bizen sake cup, freshly removed from the kiln in July, by Takashi Soga, an artist who challenges the beauty of antiquity by recreating the same conditions under which old Bizen pottery was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo replicate the firing style of the old Bizen era, this piece was fired in a kiln made entirely of clay—one that avoids the use of firebricks, which did not exist at the time, and where modern kiln-firing conventions do not apply.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe all-clay kiln itself becomes one massive piece of pottery; consequently, it transcends modern aesthetics to reveal a superb \"tsuchi-aji\" (the inherent flavor of the clay) that rivals that of old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn Mr. Soga's kiln, the clay structure itself undergoes transformation with every firing, a characteristic that ensures the finish of each piece is in constant flux. In this particular work, the artist's signature understated \"hidasuki\" (fire-cord) surface suddenly transitions, with an ash-covered layer that looks almost carbonized, coating half of the vessel.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAt first glance, it may appear scorched or sooty, but upon closer inspection, it exhibits a moist luster reminiscent of a wet stone—a unique, peerless finish characteristic of Mr. Soga's work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe hidasuki portion displays a remarkably austere, deep-red hue that, as always, seems to assimilate into the clay body; it creates a mysterious, otherworldly landscape that could aptly be called \"yohen-hidasuki\" (transmuted fire-cord).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile maintaining the simple forms seen in previous works, this piece is crafted with a slightly increased thickness.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.1cm × 5.9cm × Height 5.4cm\n\nTakashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe studied under Jun Isezaki in 2009, and in 2012, he built an all-clay kiln without the use of firebricks in Kugu, Bizen City.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became independent and began his pottery career in 2013.","brand":"曽我 尭","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618693468257,"sku":"5953","price":16500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5953.jpg?v=1790240726","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p5953","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}