{"product_id":"p6481","title":"Ibe Tokkuri","description":"This is an Ibe-tokkuri (sake flask) by the master craftsman Mitsuru Isezaki, a man who loved Bizen ware and contributed greatly to the Bizen region.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTrue to the style of Mitsuru Isezaki, who believed that the beauty of Bizen lies in the quality of the clay and remained committed to using high-grade rice field soil, this piece may appear very understated at first glance; however, by taking the time to truly engage with the work, one can see that it possesses an exquisite, rich, and supple clay texture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis very quality of the clay is the essence of Bizen that Isezaki himself was enamored with, and the complex, overlapping colors of the clay change infinitely with the presence of moisture and light.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe broadly distended body has an exquisite, indescribable plumpness and roundness, creating a smooth surface that invites you to keep stroking it forever—a quality that shatters the preconceived notion that unglazed, high-fired ceramics must be rough and gritty.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis unique presence is, of course, influenced by the brilliance of the form, but I believe it is also perfected by the artist’s meticulous attention to detail, such as using a fine spatula to scrape away excess clay during the finishing process after wheel-throwing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san style)\u003cbr\u003e\nRim 3.5cm × Body diameter 8.9cm × Body diameter 8.9cm × Height 12.2cm. Capacity: 370cc\n\nMitsuru Isezaki was born in 1934 as the eldest son of Intangible Cultural Property holder Yoza Isezaki. He learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age and majored in sculpture at the Special Art Course of Okayama University.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a master of authentic tea ceramics, he pursued Momoyama-style forms, clay textures, and firing techniques.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe selectively used either climbing kilns or medieval-style tunnel kilns depending on the piece, and never used electric or gas kilns, remaining steadfast in his commitment to firing with pine wood.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1964 and received the Kaneshige Toyo Award in 1974.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe received the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award in 1994 and the 15th Tanabe Museum of Art Grand Prize in 1998.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn March of that same year, he was designated as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in August 2011 at the age of 77.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAwards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Art and Culture Merit Award, and the Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition, among many others; he was also an invited exhibitor at the Prefectural Exhibition.","brand":"伊勢崎 満","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618054000737,"sku":"6481","price":45000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6481.jpg?v=1790231562","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p6481","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}