{"product_id":"p7498","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This is a brand new Bizen ware sake cup, just taken from the kiln by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who continues to lead the Bizen ware world with an inexhaustible creative power.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis latest work was fired in October 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile \"ana-gama\" (anagama kiln) kiln transformation is generally associated with a combination of unrestricted \"goma\" (ash glaze) and bold \"hidasuki\" (fire-cord) markings, this piece was fired without direct exposure to natural glaze, making it, in a sense, a true \"anagama hidasuki.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nJust like hidasuki fired in a climbing kiln, this piece was essentially steam-fired away from direct contact with flames in the kiln, resulting in a supple texture accented by modest hidasuki markings used to prevent the clay from fusing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe exposed white clay surface is incredibly soft and fine-grained, having completely avoided natural glaze, resulting in a finish that makes you want to hold and caress it in your palm forever.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTraces of natural glaze can be seen on the interior and a portion of the body, indicating where intense flames managed to slip through the gaps in the sealed setting.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe form is a simple, vertically elongated silhouette with a foot rim, and the impressed pattern around the waist acts as a perfect accent in harmony with the hidasuki markings.\n\nWith signature wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.2cm x 7.0cm x Height 6.9cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a Bizen ware artist known for his skill in figurative works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age and, after graduating from the Special Art Course at the Faculty of Education, Okayama University in 1959, embarked on a full-scale career in pottery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, together with his older brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he successfully restored and fired a medieval semi-subterranean anagama kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceremony ceramics, he worked extensively on pieces emphasizing form, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFocusing on both forming and firing, he established a unique, modern style that made the most of the distinct characteristics of the anagama, climbing, and electric kilns.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, as a leading artist in the creation of Bizen ceramic walls and reliefs, he worked on numerous projects, mainly 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 the Faculty of Education, Okayama University from 1978 to 1987.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he was designated as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property holder alongside his brother Mitsuru Isezaki, and in the same year, he became a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and Secretary-General of the association's 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 person to be designated a holder of a Nationally Designated Important Intangible Cultural Property for Bizen ware.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe passed away in 2026.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards and honors include: the Toyo Kaneshige Prize, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, and Person of Cultural Merit.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618183598177,"sku":"7498","price":66000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7498.jpg?v=1790232805","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p7498","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}