{"product_id":"p6559","title":"Bizen sake cup","description":"This Bizen sake cup is by Takashi Soga, an artist who challenges the beauty of antiquity by recreating the same conditions in which ancient Bizen ware was fired.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTo replicate the kiln-firing techniques of the ancient Bizen era, he avoids using firebricks—which did not exist at the time—and fires his pieces in a kiln made entirely of clay, where modern firing conventions do not apply.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe all-clay kiln itself acts as a single, massive piece of pottery; consequently, it produces a superior clay texture that transcends modern aesthetics and approaches that of ancient Bizen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece, which could be called a \"flowing sesame\" (nagare-goma) sake cup in the signature style of Soga, features flowing sesame glaze covering the entire surface, as if it had been dipped in natural glaze with a ladle. Outside of the front, the sesame turns black, creating a landscape reminiscent of painted black clay.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nOn the front, the accumulated sesame scorches, forming complex kiln transformations mixed with yellow and deep green, which, combined with the black hues elsewhere, evokes the flowing sesame works of Toshu Yamamoto.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHowever, the clay texture visible in the interior is in Soga's own style—a cool, withered, ancient Bizen aesthetic—with a smooth texture and refined flavor that will greatly enhance your enjoyment of sake.\n\nSigned wooden box to follow (we kindly ask for your patience as shipping will take some time.)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.3cm × 6.3cm × Height 5.5cm\n\nTakashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe studied under Jun Isezaki in 2009, and in 2012, he built a kiln made entirely of clay without the use of firebricks in Kugu, 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":46618057277537,"sku":"6559","price":16500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/6559.jpg?v=1790231638","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p6559","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}