{"product_id":"p6195","title":"Bizen ware sake cup","description":"This is a Bizen sake cup 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 replicate the kiln-firing style of the ancient Bizen era, he eschews the use of firebricks—which did not exist at the time—and fires his pieces in an all-clay kiln where modern firing conventions do not apply.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nBecause the all-clay kiln itself acts as a single, massive piece of pottery, it produces an exquisite \"earthy flavor\" (tsuchiaji) that transcends modern aesthetics and approaches the quality 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 change constantly; this particular work features a caramel-brown body adorned with a deeply austere, reddish-brown hidasuki (fire-cord) pattern.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAt first glance, it may appear to be a plain, brownish piece, but as is expected from an artist who holds ancient Bizen in such high regard, the more one looks, the more new discoveries are revealed in the character of the clay.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFine black specks from iron and other mineral content can be seen across the entire surface of the clay, which, combined with a surprisingly soft and delicate texture that belies its intense appearance, creates a magnificent finish that celebrates the essence of the earth.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile the sake cup has a profound and weighty presence, it is crafted to be light and easy to hold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThere is a blister in the interior, but it can be used without any issues.\n\nSigned wooden box to be provided at a later date (please note that it will take some time before it can be shipped).\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.9cm x 7.8cm x Height 4.3cm\n\nTakashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe apprenticed under Jun Isezaki in 2009 and built his own all-clay kiln without the use of firebricks in Kuguiri, Bizen City, in 2012.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became independent in 2013 and began his career in ceramics.","brand":"曽我 尭","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618038534241,"sku":"6195","price":16500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6195.jpg?v=1790231339","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p6195","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}