Isezaki Mitsuru 伊勢崎満 (1934-2011)

An excellent masterpiece by Isezaki Mitsuru. This Bizen flower vase was knocked over (korogashi) during firing. The heavy ash glaze results in strong horizontal glaze traces, often ending in single, brilliant drops of glaze (bidoro, "vitrified glass"). Circular reverse patterns (botamochi, "rice cake pattern") with beautiful and vivid color changes of red, orange, and green are the visible traces of the firing supports. Because korogashi pieces are often victims of the strong atmospheric changes in the kiln and their results are often unpredictable, they are the most prized pieces in the wide range of works by Japanese ceramists.

Born in 1934, Isezaki Mitsuru learned sculpture at the art department of Okayama University. He began to study ceramics seriously in 1957, and his works have been exhibited at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the Contemporary Pottery Exhibitions of the Tōkyō and Kyōto Museums of Modern Art, the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and others. He is a member of the Nihon Kōgei Kai (Japan Association for Arts and Crafts). He has held the Kaneshige-Tōyō Prize since 1973 and was awarded the title of "Okayama Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property" in 1998. His younger brother is Isezaki Jun (*1936), who is a Japanese "Living National Treasure".

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