Koichiro Isezaki

Koichiro Izezaki (b. 1974) is the eldest son of Bizen's current Living National Treasure, Jun Isezaki, and his grandfather, Yozan Isezaki, was one of the founding fathers of 20th century Bizen pottery.

He has not let this pedigree stifle him and is regarded as the up-and-coming star of the Isezaki family. Koichiro watched and learnt from his father and his father’s famous apprentice, Kakurezaki Ryuichi, before studying at the Tokyo Sculptural University. From there he embarked on an apprenticeship with New York based potter, Jeff Shapiro, where he was able to study the workings of the anagama kiln in great detail as well as taking back to Bizen some non-traditional vessel forms.

The "Black Bizen" decoration on this vase is achieved by using a dark iron slip that combines with natural ash “sesame goma”.