Isezaki Jun (b. 1936) the fifth Living National Treasure of Bizen is considered one of the foremost masters of the Bizen style. While using the traditional Bizen clay and incorporating the Bizen firing techniques  his vessels demonstrate unique, one of a kind details of form. 

Isezaki brings back the anagama traditional kiln form, that is dug into a hillside like a tunnel. Of significance in Bizen pottery production are the natural glazes from the wood ash and burn-products that occur in the kilns during the firing process.  An unpredictable process requiring careful placement of the works in the kiln that can result in fortuity of unexpected beauty.

Isezaki’s works, which have bloomed from tradition, continue to emerge and expand in exciting new ways and were recently showcased in a exhibition of Bizen ware masterpieces at the Miho museum in 2019 entitled From Earth and Fire , Exquisite Forms 

The works of Isezaki Jun can be found in the Metropolitan Museum, NYC; British Museum London; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art and the Miho Museum, Japan; amongst many other museum and public collections.