{"product_id":"p7853","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This is a new Bizen sake cup, freshly 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 2025.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe piece was fired for about 10 days in a semi-underground anagama (tunnel kiln), resulting in a dynamic finish that showcases features such as matte ash glaze (kase-goma), scorched ash glaze (koge-goma), fire-cord markings (hi-dasuki), and an amber-colored clay texture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDue to the intense flames, natural ash glaze covers about 50% of the piece, while the lower portion was shielded from the fire, transitioning to a bare, exposed clay surface.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFurthermore, fire-cord (hi-dasuki) patterns have been applied to the clay area, with the vivid scarlet color beautifully accentuating the soft, white surface of the earth.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nOn the front of the piece, layers of yellow ash, matte ash, and scorched ash overlap, allowing you to sense the kiln transformation (yohen) created by the fierce flames within the kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nDespite such intense scenery on the exterior, the interior (mikomi) features a gentle dusting of powder-like ash, offering a sharp contrast between the inside and outside of the piece.\u003cbr\u003e\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 7.0cm x 6.7cm x Height 6.8cm\n\nJun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was born the second son of Bizen ceramic artist Yozan Isezaki, who specialized in fine sculptural 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 of the Faculty of Education at Okayama University in 1959, he entered the path of professional pottery.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1962, alongside his older brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he successfully reconstructed and fired a medieval-style semi-underground anagama kiln.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn addition to traditional vessels such as vases, plates, and tea ceramics, he worked extensively on pieces emphasizing sculptural forms, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and art objects.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFocusing on both forming and firing, he established a unique, contemporary style that leveraged the distinct characteristics of the anagama, climbing kiln (noborigama), and electric kiln.\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 in 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 along with his brother Mitsuru, and in the same year, he assumed the roles of 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 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\nKey awards and honors: Toyo Kaneshige Memorial Award, 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, Person of Cultural Merit, etc.","brand":"伊勢崎 淳","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618211713121,"sku":"7853","price":66000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/7853.jpg?v=1790233364","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p7853","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}