Isezaki Jun (伊勢崎淳), Japanese, b. 1936

A Bizen Chawan (備前茶碗)

Showa Era (1926-1989), Heisei Era (1989-2019) or Reiwa Era (2019-present)

About the work

A powerful Bizen tea bowl by Isezaki Jun, one of the foremost contemporary masters of Bizen ware and a Living National Treasure. Born into the distinguished Isezaki family of potters, Jun has been instrumental in both preserving and advancing the Bizen tradition.

The bowl is boldly formed with a wide, gently rounded body and low foot, its surface animated by natural kiln effects that blend warm reddish-brown clay with darker firing variations. Subtle flashes of ash, fire-markings, and surface texturing evoke the elemental beauty of Bizen ware, celebrated for its unglazed, natural finish that reflects the power of fire and earth.

This chawan is accompanied by its original signed tomobako (wooden storage box), attesting to its authenticity and distinguished provenance.

Dimensions

8cm(h) x 13cm(w)

Footnote

Isezaki Jun (b. 1936) is the second son of Isezaki Yozan, a master craftsman of fine Bizen work. Trained from childhood alongside his brother Mitsuru, Jun began exhibiting in the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1961 and became a full member of the Japan Kogei Association in 1966. After establishing his own kiln in 1967, he expanded his artistic range to include large-scale ceramic reliefs for public spaces such as the Prime Minister’s residence and Kurashiki Notre Dame Memorial Hall. Renowned for his mastery of kiln variation (yohen) and fire-mark techniques, he later developed new sculptural approaches combining traditional Bizen with black glazes. In 2004, he was designated a Living National Treasure, only the fifth Bizen potter to receive this honor.