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Bizen Tea Bowl

Ceramics
Craft Artist
Koichiro Isezaki
ORIGIN
Bizen, Okayama Prefecture
SIZE
W149 × H115 × D137mm
MATERIAL
Clay

The potential of material and form

Koichiro Isezaki’s Bizen Tea Bowl is made from Bizen’s fine-textured clay and fired at high temperatures in a wood-fired kiln over an extended period. Against its warm brown surface, natural kiln effects such as sesame-like goma markings and areas of scorching emerge, revealing a different expression from every angle. The gently rounded form and subtle undulations along the rim are equally striking. Within its refined presence, traces of the artist’s hand remain palpable. Gentle curves and a subtly shifting contour bring out the distinctive texture of Bizen clay, creating a form in which rustic character and refinement exist in harmony.

Bizen is recognized as one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns. Born into a distinguished family of Bizen potters, Koichiro has drawn on his background in sculpture to explore the possibilities of form through Bizen clay. While carrying forward traditional techniques and materials, he has developed a distinctive approach that embraces the texture of the clay and the expressive effects created in the kiln. In this work as well, he skillfully incorporates the rich character of Bizen clay and its natural transformations, or yohen, that emerge in the kiln, bringing a contemporary sensibility to a simple, restrained form.

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