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

This listing is for a Shigaraki Bunbuku Chagama sake warmer made about 20 years ago.  It tells the story of Bunbuku Chagama, which is an old story about a poor man who finds a tanuki caught in a trap he set. The story goes on to explain how he feels sorry for the animal, so instead of killing it, he sets it free. Later that night the tanuki makes its way back to the man’s house to thank him for his kindness. The tanuki magically transforms itself into a tea kettle and tells the man to sell him for money. The kettle is sold to a monk who takes it home and gives it a good old scrubbing, and following that he sets it over the fire. The tanuki gave out an almighty yell and headed straight for the door. As the tanuki was making his bid for freedom he suddenly remembered the good deed the poor man did, so he decided to return to the monk’s house. The poor old monk was so shocked and confused that he didn’t know what to do, so he carried the kettle to the temple and left it there. The tanuki was in a half-transformed state, and before too long word had spread about this magical kettle. Visitors began to come in droves and make offerings to the kettle, resulting in the temple becoming very prosperous!   The pot has a capacity of 300ml, and the mark of the kiln can be found on the bottom and reads as ‘Mika’.

Shigaraki-ware refers to pottery made in Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is perhaps one of the more well-known types of stoneware with its origins dating back to the Kamakura period. The Shiga region is home to one of the six oldest kilns in Japan, and this is because of its superb clay. It has a reddish-orange colour, along with a natural ash glaze acquired from the deposit of ashes in the kilns. Pieces of quartz, feldspar or silica can often be found on the surface, giving Shigaraki a wonderful gritty texture and rustic charm. Historically potters produced wares specifically for the tea ceremony, however craftsmen gradually shifted to producing items such as vases and sake bottles as well.

Size

H.9.5cm (3.7”) including the handle/6.2cm (2.4”) without x 14.2cm (5.5”) from the end of the spout to the back

Condition

It’s a completely unused item.

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.