{"product_id":"p6074","title":"Bizen plate","description":"This Bizen plate is by Takashi Soga, an artist who challenges the beauty of the ancients by recreating the same conditions under which old Bizen ware was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo replicate the firing techniques of the old Bizen era, he eschews the use of firebricks—which did not exist at the time—firing his pieces instead in an all-earth kiln where modern firing conventions do not apply.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nBecause the all-earth kiln itself becomes a single massive piece of pottery, it imbues the work with an exquisite \"earth quality\" that transcends modern aesthetics to approach that of ancient Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn Mr. Soga’s kiln, the earth structure itself transforms with every firing, a characteristic that causes the finish of each piece to constantly evolve; this particular firing resulted in the brightest scarlet surface seen to date.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis scarlet is not the soft, underfired hue of a climbing kiln, but a true red born from the earth itself after a firm, thorough firing, already displaying an exquisite luster across the entire surface that resembles the texture of well-used ancient Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe piece also features the fine-grained \"kase-goma\" (matte ash glaze) that is another hallmark of Mr. Soga's work, resulting in a plate with a soft texture and vibrant scarlet finish that is exceptionally pleasant to use.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile not a full *katakuchi* (spouted bowl), a section of the rim has been pinched and extended, and combined with the slightly rising side of the body, it evokes a unique, comfortable sense of clumsiness—that ambiguity between intention and spontaneity so characteristic of old Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\nNo box included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 20.0cm × 18.8cm × Height 4.4cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\nTakashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe apprenticed under Jun Isezaki in 2009, and in 2012, he built his own all-earth kiln in Kuku-i, Bizen City, without the use of firebricks.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became independent and began his career as a ceramic artist in 2013.","brand":"曽我 尭","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618708443233,"sku":"6074","price":8800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6074.jpg?v=1790240834","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p6074","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}