This listing is for a Kutani-ware okimono made around 20-30 years ago by master potter, Asakura Isokichi II. It is made from a slip mould and moulded to resemble a wild boar.  The piece is coated in brown glaze with light blue trim for the tusks and hooves. This piece was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Boar back in either 1983 or 1995. The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom.  

Asakura Isokichi II (1913-1998) was a Kutani-ware potter and second generation master of the Asakura family kiln.  He was born in Ishikawa Prefecture and studied general pottery making techniques under his father Isokichi I, and later moulding techniques from Tokuda Yasokichi I in 1928. In 1946 he studied iroe glazing under master potter Kitade Tojiro.  His first breakthrough was in 1968 when he received the Hokkoku Shimbun Cultural Award.  In 1974 he was appointed as a Nitten Fine Arts councillor, and he was also selected to become director of the Contemporary Crafts Artists Association.  In 1977 he received the highly coveted Prime Ministers Award at the Nitten Fine Arts Exhibition, and in 1981 he received the Japan Arts Academy Prize and was appointed as a director of Nitten.  In 1984 he received the   Order of the Rising Sun (4^th Class Gold Rays with Rosette), and he was selected to become a member of the Japan Arts Academy.  In 1986 he became an honorary citizen of his hometown of Terai in Ishikawa, and in 1992 he was designated as a Person of Cultural Merit by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.  In 1993 he became a senior advisor for Nitten, and opened the Asakura Isokichi Art Museum.  In 1996 he received the Order of Cultural Merit from the Japanese government, rounding off a long and very successful career as a ceramic artist.  The Asakura family kiln is now in its third generation and is run by Isokichi’s son.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

Kutani refers to porcelain ware made in the town of Kutani, in modern day Ishikawa Prefecture. This type of porcelain ware is known for its vivid colours and distinct designs, which in many cases can cover the entire surface. These designs were influenced by Chinese ceramics, paintings, and textiles. Kutani-ware can be broken into the following types: Ko-Kutani (around 1650-1700), Mokubei style (around 1805-1817), Yoshidaya style (1818-1829), Iidaya Style (1830-1845), Eiraku style (1865-1868), and the Shoza Style (1860-1880). Typical decorating techniques include the Ao-Tsubu pattern with raised blue dots, Saiyu Glazes (red, green, yellow, purple, blue), the Yuri-kinsai technique of using gold leaf and gold powder under transparent glaze, and the ginsai technique of using silver leaf and silver powder under transparent glaze.

Japanese okimono figurines are decorative items used for display purposes. Junishi okimono are those commemorating the twelve animals and mythological beasts from the astrological calendar. The Japanese astrological calendar is known as eto, and the twelve creatures are called junishi. The Zodiac’s popularity peaked during the Edo Era, and it was then that junishi okimono production became more widespread. These days, potters and production kilns produce hundreds of junishi each year to welcome the coming New Year. These are often displayed in shops, restaurants, people’s homes, and in tea rooms.

Size

H.8.7cm (3.4”) x L.24cm (9.4”) x W.12cm (4.7”)

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.