{"product_id":"p7056","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This is a newly fired Bizen sake cup (guinomi) by the Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, who continues to lead the world of Bizen ware with an inexhaustible creative power.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis latest work was pulled from the kiln in June 2023.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFired slowly for about 10 days in a semi-underground anagama (tunnel kiln), this piece showcases a finish representative of Isezaki Bizen, featuring a gradient of sesame ash (goma), fire-cord (hidaski), thread-like sesame patterns, and colors shifting from scarlet to amber.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nRice straw was placed to wrap around the piece; depending on the area, the straw marks shift dramatically between thread-like sesame, white sesame, and fire-cord patterns, so mesmerizing that one forgets the time while tracing the flow of the straw with their eyes.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nGuided by the rice straw, the piece has been generously coated in natural glaze from the top; the glaze that accumulated on the rim flows down like rainwater dripping from a roof, creating a golden-shimmering landscape from the rim into the interior.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe clay itself has reacted sensitively to the intense heat and natural glaze, resulting in a vibrant tapestry of scarlet, amber, and brown tones.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile the design is large and dynamic in the signature style of Isezaki, it remains true to the basics with an everted rim and a carved base, making it comfortable to hold and easy to use.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nComes in a wooden box (tomobako) with cross-piece lid.\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.3cm × 7.2cm × Height 7.1cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the second son of Bizen ceramic artist Yozan Isezaki, who specialized in intricate sculpted works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age and began his professional career after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education in 1959.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, he successfully restored and fired a medieval-style semi-underground tunnel kiln together with his older brother, Mitsuru Isezaki.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceramics, he engaged in a wide range of work focusing on sculptural aesthetics, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nEmphasizing both shaping and firing, he established a unique style imbued with a modern sensibility, leveraging the distinct characteristics of tunnel kilns, climbing kilns, and electric kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a leading artist in the creation of Bizen ceramic walls and reliefs, he produced numerous works, primarily for public facilities.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 and served as a lecturer for the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education from 1978 to 1987.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture alongside his brother Mitsuru, and in the same year, he became a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and Secretary-General of its Chugoku branch.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister's Official Residence.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2004, he was recognized as the fifth individual to be designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit in 2025.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 2026.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and honors include the Toyo Kaneshige Memorial Award, the Excellence Award at the Chanoyu Modeling Exhibition, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, and recognition as a Person of Cultural Merit.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618076446817,"sku":"7056","price":60000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7056.jpg?v=1790232165","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p7056","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}