{"product_id":"p5959","title":"Bizen tea cup","description":"This is a new Bizen tea cup, fresh from the kiln in July, by Takashi Soga, an artist who challenges the beauty of antiquity by recreating the same environment in which ancient Bizen ware was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo reproduce the firing style of the ancient Bizen era, these pieces are fired in a kiln made entirely of earth—avoiding the use of modern refractory bricks, which did not exist at the time—where conventional modern firing wisdom does not apply.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe earthen kiln itself acts as one massive piece of pottery, which is why the resulting works transcend modern aesthetics, exhibiting a superlative quality of clay that approaches the look of ancient Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn Soga’s kiln, the kiln structure itself transforms with every firing, a characteristic that causes the finish of the pieces to constantly evolve. This particular work features a refined \"hidasuki\" (fire-cord) pattern characteristic of Soga, with a hint of gold-like glaze overlay.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nUnlike the sharp contrast between the clay body and the fire-cord typical of modern Bizen ware, this piece features a landscape where the fire-cord and the clay body have integrated, much like the casual works found in ancient Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe fire-cord is so delicate it might almost be overlooked, yet the way it seems to seep deeply and damply into the clay body offers an exceptional aesthetic quality.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece combines a rich, viscous fire-cord with a matte-textured clay, resulting in a work that evokes the fire-cord pieces fired in climbing kilns by master craftsmen of yesteryear.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe more it is used, the more the surface will be polished, shifting toward a matte finish and approaching the unpretentious, rustic power inherent in ancient Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nCrafted to be exceptionally lightweight, in accordance with Soga's meticulous standards.\n\nNo box included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.8cm x 6.8cm x Height 9.3cm\n\nTakashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2009, he began his apprenticeship under Jun Isezaki, and in 2012, he built his own earthen kiln without the use of refractory bricks in Kukuin, 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":46618694058081,"sku":"5959","price":8800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5959.jpg?v=1790240735","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p5959","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}