{"product_id":"p7676","title":"Ibe Guinomi (Left-facing Horse)","description":"An Ibe sake cup (guinomi) featuring the \"Hidari-uma\" (Left-facing Horse) motif by the master craftsman Mitsuru Isezaki, a man who loved Bizen ware and made immense contributions to Bizen pottery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe piece bears the \"Hidari-uma\" stamp in the foot, a hallmark of the first firing of the season, indicating that it was fired during the inaugural kiln opening of the Ibe kiln, which continues to be operated by his sons to this day.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nBelieving always that the true merit of Bizen ware lies in the quality of the clay, Mitsuru-sensei remained dedicated to using high-grade rice-paddy clay, a commitment reflected in the profound aesthetic depth of this work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAt first glance, it appears very understated, yet it is a work of remarkably rich kiln effects. With a base of soft shiso-red clay, it is layered with mist-like yellow sesame glaze (kama-goma) and sangiri (reduced-fire) patterns, creating a finish that serves as a textbook example of Bizen ware fired in a climbing kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, the clay body throughout the piece is lightly brushed with a metallic sheen, adding even greater depth to its sophisticated, austere appearance.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is a classic shape among Mitsuru-sensei’s sake cups, featuring a slightly tapered shoulder and an opening flared at the rim, making it simple and comfortable to use.\n\nSigned wooden box (double-slat lid) included\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.3cm x 6.3cm, Height 5.9cm\n\nMitsuru Isezaki was born in 1934 as the eldest son of Intangible Cultural Property holder Yozan Isezaki. He learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age and majored in sculpture at the Okayama University Special Fine Arts Course.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAs a master of authentic tea ceramics, he pursued the aesthetics, clay quality, and firing techniques of the Momoyama period.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe skillfully utilized both climbing kilns and medieval-style anagama kilns depending on the work, firmly rejecting electric or gas kilns in favor of 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 Prize 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 a Holder of 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: Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Arts and Culture Merit Award, Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Ceramics Exhibition, and many others \/ Guest exhibitor at Prefectural Exhibitions","brand":"伊勢崎 満","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618203979873,"sku":"7676","price":9900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7676.jpg?v=1790233085","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p7676","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}