Bizen / Isezaki Yozan
Bizen Shishi by Isezaki Yozan
Isezaki Yozan (1902-1961) was one of Bizen's greatest 20th century saikumono-sculptor potters. In Taisho 8 (1919) he entered the famous saikumono Bizen workshop of Korakuen (Kimura Chojiro) before establishing his own kiln in Showa 8 (1933). He was designated an Okayama Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property in Showa 29 (1954); other Bizen potters designated with him that year included Kaneshige Toyo and Fujiwara Kei, both were to become Living National Treasures. In his younger years Kaneshige was also a gifted saikumono potter. This proud standing Shishi is known as a tsukimi botan Shishi or a 'moon gazing Shishi holding a peony.' A Shishi is often seen with a peony, considered to be the 'king of flowers.' Isezaki's Shishi stands on powerful legs, has a curling tail, and delicate whorls carved around its neck. It looks to the heavens with a cute whimsical expression, lost in thoughts of the stars above. I showed this work to Yozan's son Mitsuru, also a Bizen potter and an Okayama P.I.C.P. and he said that his father made only ten of these Shishi making them quite rare. He also had a box made and signed it, it accompanies this work of course. In excellent condition with a few minor kiln cracks near the tail and under the legs (see photo 10), 27.2cm.tall, 25.5cm across, 15.2cm.wide. Yozan's mark is etched on the Shishi's back right leg.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
