{"product_id":"p6308","title":"Bizen ware teacup","description":"This is a newly fired Bizen tea cup by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the Bizen pottery world with an inexhaustible creative power.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is his latest work, removed from the kiln in May 2021.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFired in an anagama kiln for approximately 10 days, this piece showcases the signature characteristics of Isezaki Bizen, including goma (sesame ash glaze), hidaski (fire-marked), itogoma (thread-like ash glaze), and beautiful gradations of white clay and scarlet.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFor this piece, the artist used a coarse, sandy clay, allowing individual sand grains to peek through the scarlet gradations.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nStraw was wrapped diagonally around the piece, creating a hidaski pattern that encircles the entire cup; it is so captivating that one finds themselves lost in time, tracing the flow of the straw.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, as the straw burned, it fused with the natural ash glaze, transforming into what is known as itogoma—a pattern that retains the impression of the straw.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nInside the cup, ash carried by the hot air of the anagama kiln has settled like fine, powdery snow in tiny, delicate grains.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAlthough labeled as a tea cup, it can naturally also be used as a beer mug.\n\nIncludes signed wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.5cm × 7.0cm × Height 9.7cm\n\nJun Isezaki was born as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a master known for his decorative ceramic work. He learned pottery from a young age and embarked on his career after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University in 1959.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHis work spans a wide range, from traditional items such as vases, dishes, and tea ceremony utensils to ceramic wall art and sculptural objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn his creation process, he emphasizes both forming and firing, utilizing the distinct characteristics of his materials and kilns (anagama, climbing, and electric kilns) to produce work imbued with a modern sensibility.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe is also widely recognized as a leading figure in relief art, having unveiled numerous such works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was certified as a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 and served as a special lecturer in fine arts at Okayama University for nine years starting in 1978.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he and his older brother Mitsuru were both designated as Holders of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and in the same year, he became the Secretary-General of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn July 2004, he was designated as a Living National Treasure (Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property).\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAwards: Recipient of the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Prize, Sanyo Shimbun Prize, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition, and many others \/ Served as a judge for the Prefectural Exhibition","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618715324513,"sku":"6308","price":40000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6308.jpg?v=1790241038","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p6308","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}