Isezaki Shin 伊勢崎紳 (*1965)

Born in 1965 as the second son of Isezaki Mitsuru (1934-2011), Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama, and as the nephew of Isezaki Jun (*1936), Living National Treasure, it seems only natural, that Isezaki Shin inherited much of his talent from his predecessors to become one of the most promising Bizen potters of our time. Many of his works embody the old traditional Bizen techniques which are, but interpreted in a fresh, lively and modern way. As in this this tea caddy, the classic botamochi or "rice cake" decoration appears not as a single large reserve pattern on the front of the tea caddy, but as three circular orange markings. This playful arrangement of the firing supports provides a strong contrast to the unusual black, ash-dusted surface on the back.  

Isezaki Shin has been working independently in his own kiln since 1999 and has received many awards for both his traditional pottery production and his progressive exploration of new Bizen techniques and firing methods. He has been accepted as a full member of the Nihon Kōgei Kai (Japan Arts and Crafts Association).

This exceptional tea caddy is marked at the bottom and comes with a large, fitted wooden box and two silk bags. The box is inscribed by Isezaki Shin: Bizen yōhen mentori katashiki chaire ("Faceted Bizen tea caddy with distinct shoulders and kiln mutation") and is signed and sealed: Shin.

INQUIRE