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No. 8005
Bizen Yohen Tokkuri
¥330,000
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Description
This is a new Bizen Yohen Tokkuri by Jun Isezaki, Living National Treasure, who continues to lead the world of Bizen ware with a creativity that never fades.
This is one of his latest works, newly fired in February 2026.
Among Jun Isezaki’s works, anagama Yohen is especially rare, and this piece stands out even within that group for its exceptional firing. Within an ash covering strong enough to rival that of a noborigama firing, it reveals the distinctive fire pattern unique to the anagama, creating a truly beautiful appearance.
The front shows a rich hiro that is characteristic of anagama Yohen, and this lightness in the Yohen, different again from that of noborigama-fired works, is especially appealing.
The back is covered with a complex ash effect where yellow, gray, and black intermingle, and when the piece is moistened, the various tones contained within the ash covering emerge even more vividly.
In keeping with the Yohen, the form is simple, without decorative elements such as impressed patterns, and this simplicity only serves to highlight the beauty of the kumadori-like arch even more.
Although Jun Isezaki often favors somewhat larger forms, this work has a classical size with a body diameter of 9 cm, and it expresses the classic Bizen form of the Yohen Tokkuri beautifully while still clearly showing his own distinctive character.
This is one of his latest works, newly fired in February 2026.
Among Jun Isezaki’s works, anagama Yohen is especially rare, and this piece stands out even within that group for its exceptional firing. Within an ash covering strong enough to rival that of a noborigama firing, it reveals the distinctive fire pattern unique to the anagama, creating a truly beautiful appearance.
The front shows a rich hiro that is characteristic of anagama Yohen, and this lightness in the Yohen, different again from that of noborigama-fired works, is especially appealing.
The back is covered with a complex ash effect where yellow, gray, and black intermingle, and when the piece is moistened, the various tones contained within the ash covering emerge even more vividly.
In keeping with the Yohen, the form is simple, without decorative elements such as impressed patterns, and this simplicity only serves to highlight the beauty of the kumadori-like arch even more.
Although Jun Isezaki often favors somewhat larger forms, this work has a classical size with a body diameter of 9 cm, and it expresses the classic Bizen form of the Yohen Tokkuri beautifully while still clearly showing his own distinctive character.
Details
- Pottery Type
- Sake bottle
- Dimensions
- W9.0cm × D8.8cm × H13.4cm 400cc
About the Artist
Jun Isezaki (1936–2026) was born in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a Bizen ware artist known for his skill in decorative and sculptural works.
He learned ceramic techniques from his father from an early age. After graduating from the Special Art Course in the Faculty of Education at Okayama University in 1959, he began pursuing pottery in earnest.
In 1962, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he reconstructed a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln and successfully fired it.
In addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea wares, he worked extensively on highly sculptural creations, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.
Isezaki placed particular importance on forming and firing. By making full use of the distinctive characteristics of anagama kilns, climbing kilns, and electric kilns, he established a unique style filled with a contemporary sensibility.
He was also a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs in Bizen ware and produced numerous works, particularly for public facilities.
In 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. From 1978 to 1987, he served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course of the Faculty of Education at Okayama University.
In 1998, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In the same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and secretary-general of its Chugoku Branch.
In 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
In 2004, he became the fifth Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.
Jun Isezaki passed away in 2026.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Excellence Award at the Chanoyu no Zokeiten (Exhibition of Tea Ceremony Ceramics), the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, and recognition as a Person of Cultural Merit.
He learned ceramic techniques from his father from an early age. After graduating from the Special Art Course in the Faculty of Education at Okayama University in 1959, he began pursuing pottery in earnest.
In 1962, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he reconstructed a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln and successfully fired it.
In addition to traditional vessels such as flower vases, plates, and tea wares, he worked extensively on highly sculptural creations, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.
Isezaki placed particular importance on forming and firing. By making full use of the distinctive characteristics of anagama kilns, climbing kilns, and electric kilns, he established a unique style filled with a contemporary sensibility.
He was also a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs in Bizen ware and produced numerous works, particularly for public facilities.
In 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. From 1978 to 1987, he served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course of the Faculty of Education at Okayama University.
In 1998, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In the same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and secretary-general of its Chugoku Branch.
In 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
In 2004, he became the fifth Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.
Jun Isezaki passed away in 2026.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Excellence Award at the Chanoyu no Zokeiten (Exhibition of Tea Ceremony Ceramics), the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, and recognition as a Person of Cultural Merit.