*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a Bizen-ware okimono made around 20 years ago.  It was made from a slip mould and is moulded to resemble a cheeky rat perked up on an uchide-no-kozuchi, otherwise known as a mallet of fortune. It is believed that striking an uchide-no-kozuchi will bring anything you wish for, making it a very popular motif during New Year. This piece was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Rat back in 1996. The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom, sorry no box.

Bizen-ware is generally known for its iron-like hardness, simple unglazed texture, and distinctive markings resulting from wood-burning kiln firing. Because of the clay composition, Bizen pottery is fired slowly over a long period of time. Firings take place only once or twice a year. They require the wood fire to be kept burning for 10-14 days, which involves long hours and tonnes of wood. Bizen clay is dug up from rice fields and this iron rich clay is what gives most Bizen-ware its dark colours, though, a few potters prefer to use lighter mountain clay.

Japanese okimono figurines are decorative items used for display purposes. There are those for religious purposes, junishi animals for commemorating the Japanese astrological calendar, and those depicting auspicious symbols such as ise ebi, cranes, foo lions and tortoises. Auspicious symbols and junishi are made to usher in the New Year. They are often displayed in shops, restaurants, people’s homes, and tea rooms.

Size

H.10.2cm (4”) x L.15.2cm (5.9”) x 8.1cm (3.1”) from back to front

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.