Bizen Akae Sake Cup by Isezaki Mitsuru (伊勢崎満), Bizen Ware, Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property #169

Mitsuru Isesaki (伊勢崎満, 1934–2011), the eldest son of the master craftsman Yozan Isesaki and a designated Intangible Cultural Property Holder for Okayama Prefecture, was a towering figure in the world of traditional Bizen ware. Mitsuru dedicated a lifetime to restoring the medieval "Old Bizen" style, serving as the spiritual backbone of the craft.

This piece features Mitsuru’s signature alongside the "Yozan" seal on its presentation box. Throughout the artist’s career, Mitsuru continued to use this prestigious family seal as the head of "Yozan-gama," honoring the legacy of Isezaki’s father. It serves as a testament to Mitsuru’s pride in the family lineage and a guarantee of the authentic quality of the Isesaki family kilns.

Notably, this "Bizen Aka-e" (red enamel) work is estimated to have been created during Mitsuru’s mature later years, from the late 1990s into the 2000s, when Mitsuru’s artistic sensibility reached its zenith. Having mastered the stoic, unglazed aesthetic of traditional Bizen, it is significant that the master chose to embrace the modern challenge of "color" in Isezaki’s final decades. The artist overcame the technical difficulty of bonding enamel to iron-rich Bizen clay through firing techniques refined over half a century, achieving a magnificent contrast between the earth's weight and the vivid red.

Within the traditional brownish-brown of Bizen, this work harbors a modern tension. It represents the "final destination" of Mitsuru Isesaki—a master who upheld a prestigious name while maintaining a forward-looking, timeless sensibility. This is a masterpiece of exceptional historical and artistic value.

• Artist: Isezaki Mitsuru (伊勢崎満, 1934–2011)
• Notable Achievements: 1961 Sanyo Shimbun Prize at the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, 1966 First selection for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, 1972 Grand Prize at the Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition, 1973 Japan Ceramic Society Award, 1984 Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, 1994 Sanyo Culture Award, 1998 Designated a Holder of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property for Bizen Ware Production Techniques.
• Public Collections: The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; Victoria and Albert Museum (UK); British Museum (UK), among others.
• Production Period: Circa 1990s to early 2000s 
• Condition: Excellent (no chips or cracks)
  Accessories: Dedicated wooden box, wrapping cloth
• Material: Ceramic
• Dimensions: Height approx. 6 cm, diameter approx. 5.5 cm
• Please note: Although these items are in unused condition, they are vintage pieces and are listed as second-hand. Please understand that items may show characteristics of aging, and we encourage you to review all details before purchase.
• Please check the photos: We prepare every description with great care, but errors may still remain in the text. Please examine the photos carefully before purchasing. Where the photos and the description differ, please take the photos as the basis for the product information.