{"product_id":"p7738","title":"Bizen ware sake cup","description":"This is a Bizen ware sake cup (guinomi) from an earlier period by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who has led the world of Bizen ware with an inexhaustible creative spirit.\u003cbr\u003e\nA ceramic history document from 2006 is enclosed, suggesting the piece was created around that time.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFired carefully for about ten days in a semi-underground anagama kiln, the work features finishes that represent Isezaki Bizen at its finest, including sesame glaze (goma), fire-cord markings (hidaski), crusty sesame (kase-goma), and a gradient of scorched sesame (koge-goma) and scarlet hues.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWith the vibrant, amber-colored clay characteristic of anagama firing as its base, the piece offers a simple yet endlessly captivating appearance, defined by the rich natural glaze that changes expression across its surface.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe front is particularly charming, where a beautiful contrast of red and white serves as a starting point for black scorched sesame sliding over frost-like crusty sesame.\u003cbr\u003e\nThe interior, too, is defined by the red of the clay and yellow of the sesame, which become as vivid as blooming earth when filled with sake.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe form, rarely seen today, sits between a traditional sake cup and a guinomi, echoing the simplicity of a tea bowl by stripping away ornamentation—a design choice that, conversely, makes the beauty of the kiln-transformed surfaces stand out even more.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is an unused item that was carefully stored after being purchased new.\n\nOriginal signed box (shiho-zan)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.5cm x 7.3cm x Height 4.6cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the second son of Bizen ware artist Yozan Isezaki, who was known for his mastery of ornamental pottery.\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 Okayama University Faculty of Education in 1959, he entered the path of professional ceramic art.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, together with his older brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he successfully restored and fired a medieval-style semi-underground anagama kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea ceramics, he worked extensively on pieces that emphasized sculptural form, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and art objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn his creative process, he placed great importance on both shaping and firing, establishing a unique style infused with a modern sensibility that leveraged the distinct characteristics of anagama, climbing (noborigama), 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 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 in the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education from 1978 to 1987.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1998, he and his brother Mitsuru were recognized as Holders of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Properties, 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 person to be designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of 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: Kaneshige Toyo Award, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Person of Cultural Merit, among others.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618206404705,"sku":"7738","price":44000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7738.jpg?v=1790233182","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p7738","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}