{"title":"Konishi Tōzō","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eKonishi Tōzō is a distinguished Bizen-yaki ceramic artist from Imbe, Okayama Prefecture, known for work that carries both the strength of Bizen tradition and a refined, personal artistic voice. Rooted in lineage yet unmistakably individual, his ceramics reflect a deep command of clay, firing, and form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHis work ranges from tea wares to more sculptural vessels, always marked by material presence, restraint, and quiet force. Rather than repeating tradition mechanically, he carries it forward through a highly developed sense of form and expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eOver the course of his career, he has received major distinctions including the Minister of Education Award at the 4th Chūnichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition in 1976, the Kaneshige Tōyō Prize in 1988, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award in 2003, and the Sanyō Shimbun Award in 2012. In 2013, he was recognized as a Bizen City Designated Intangible Cultural Property holder. His work was also selected for an exhibition at the Musée national de Céramique in France highlighting the thousand-year beauty of Bizen ware.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"japanese-houhin-teapot-konishi-tozo-hidasuki-bizen-yaki-bizen-ware-teapot-250ml","title":"Bizen-Yaki Dragon Carved Hidasuki Houhin - Konishi Tozo - 250ml","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"291\"\u003eThis sculptural Japanese houhin teapot is a one-of-a-kind work by Konishi Tozo, one of the most respected contemporary artists working in the Bizen tradition. Each of his pieces is conceived as an individual work of art rather than a repeated form, shaped and fired as a singular expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"293\" data-end=\"699\"\u003eThis piece was fired using the hidasuki technique, a classic Bizen method in which rice straw is wrapped around the vessel before being placed in a traditional wood kiln. During firing, the straw burns away and reacts with the clay, producing natural reddish-orange markings against the pale, earthy surface. These patterns are created entirely by flame, ash, and kiln placement, and can never be repeated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"701\" data-end=\"1036\"\u003eThis Japanese teapot features a richly modeled body with raised relief carving, a finely sculpted dragon lid finial, and a tripod-footed base that gives the piece both presence and stability. The surface invites close inspection, textured, uneven, and alive with detail while remaining fully functional and intended for tea preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1038\" data-end=\"1283\"\u003eUnglazed and wood-fired for two weeks using traditional yakishime methods, the clay retains its natural character. With use, the surface will gradually deepen and develop a patina, recording time, handling, and tea in a way unique to Bizen ware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1285\" data-end=\"1616\"\u003eA houhin is traditionally used for brewing high-grade Japanese green teas such as gyokuro and kabusecha, allowing careful control of temperature and flow. Houhins also work well with Chinese oolongs. This piece balances sculptural presence with thoughtful functionality, making it suitable for both dedicated tea practice and display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1285\" data-end=\"1616\"\u003eA true one-of-one functional artwork, made to be used slowly, lived with, and appreciated over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1618\" data-end=\"1723\"\u003eThe teapot comes with its original signed wooden box and documentation, confirming authorship and origin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1725\" data-end=\"1736\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1725\" data-end=\"1736\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1738\" data-end=\"2088\"\u003eOrigin: Bizen, Okayama, Japan\u003cbr data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"1770\"\u003eArtist: Konishi Tozo\u003cbr data-start=\"1790\" data-end=\"1793\"\u003eCapacity: 250 ml\u003cbr data-start=\"1809\" data-end=\"1812\"\u003eStyle: Hidasuki\u003cbr data-start=\"1827\" data-end=\"1830\"\u003eMaterial: Natural Bizen clay, unglazed\u003cbr data-start=\"1868\" data-end=\"1871\"\u003eTechnique: Traditional wood kiln (yakishime)\u003cbr data-start=\"1912\" data-end=\"1915\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eForm: Sculptural houhin with carved dragon lid and raised relief\u003cbr data-start=\"1979\" data-end=\"1982\"\u003eIncludes: Signed wooden box and documents\u003cbr data-start=\"2020\" data-end=\"2023\"\u003eUse: Gyokuro, sencha, fine Japanese green teas, Chinese oolongs\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Artisanal Japan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44560804348019,"sku":null,"price":1160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0701\/2286\/4755\/files\/HouhinTeapot_HidasukiBizen-Yaki_BizenWare-KonishiTozo_f41bb58c-39a3-49c4-a434-980a5648cbbc.png?v=1777405149"},{"product_id":"yunomi-teacup-with-carved-dragon-motif-bizen-ware-konishi-tozo-120ml","title":"Bizen-Yaki Dragon Motif Teacup - Konishi Tozo - 120ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis exceptional yunomi tea cup is a masterwork by Konishi Tōzō, a contemporary ceramic artist working in the Bizen tradition. Sculpted by hand and wood fired for 2 weeks using traditional methods, this 1 of 1 unique cup features a deeply carved dragon motif that emerges organically from the clay surface, wrapping the vessel with movement and quiet intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe form is deliberately irregular, with subtle variations in rim and wall thickness that enhance the tactile experience. The weight sits low in the hand, grounding the cup, while the carved imagery invites slow observation with each turn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a beautiful, functional tea vessel that carries the presence and discipline of serious Japanese ceramics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHidasuki Firing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis yunomi was fired using hidasuki, a traditional Bizen firing technique in which rice straw is wrapped around the vessel before firing. During the extended kiln firing, minerals from the straw react with the clay, producing the characteristic natural red and orange markings seen on the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHidasuki is not applied or controlled after firing, the patterns are the direct result of placement, heat, ash, and time. No two pieces develop the same markings, and the contrast between warm hidasuki tones and exposed clay adds depth and visual rhythm to the carved surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCapacity: 120ml\u003cbr\u003eOrigin: Bizen, Japan\u003cbr\u003eArtist: Konishi Tōzō\u003cbr\u003eWare: Yunomi (Japanese tea cup)\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Natural clay\u003cbr\u003eTechnique: Hand-carved relief, hidasuki firing\u003cbr\u003eIncludes: Signed wooden box \u0026amp; Documents\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Artisanal Japan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44708069802099,"sku":null,"price":249.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0701\/2286\/4755\/files\/JapaneseBizenYunomiTeaCupwithCarvedDragonMotif_KonishiTozo_120ml_4_ad7ef578-aafb-4436-9fd8-73ea4b52d425.png?v=1776880385"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0701\/2286\/4755\/collections\/HidasukiBizenWareYunomi5-pcTeacupSet_DragonCarvedMotif-KonishiTokoKiln_54934317-7022-462f-939f-b46e4aeff45f.png?v=1776546742","url":"https:\/\/artisanaljapan.com\/collections\/konishi-tozo.oembed","provider":"Artisanal Japan","version":"1.0","type":"link"}