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

This listing is for a wood-fired Bizen-ware vase made around 20 years ago by Hisamoto Koichi.  It is wheel-thrown and fired in a noborigama chamber kiln.  This particular type of Bizen-ware is known as the ‘goma’ sesame type, because of the light brown colour on the surface resembling sesame seed paste. This colouring is the result of red pine ash melting on the piece’s surface during the firing process.  Also the uneven shape of the vase is meant to resemble bamboo complete with small notches and a joint around the middle.  The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with a Japanese language profile paper. 

Hisamoto Koichi (b.1953) is a Bizen-ware potter and current master of Bisan Gama.  He began studying pottery in 1975 under Mushiake-ware potter Higashibara Deita, and became proficient at both wheel-throwing and glazing techniques.   In 1981 he switched to Bizen and began studying under noted potter Shimamura Hikaru, and together they built a noborigama climbing kiln in 1988. One year later he built his own noborigama kiln and named it Bisan Gama, and in 1994 he received the Encouragement Award at the Okayama Art Exhibition.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

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.

Size                                                                                                                          H.21.3cm (8.3”) x 8cm (3.1”) diameter across x 7cm (2.7”) diameter from back to front

Condition

It’s in very good condition aside from a firing crack on the bottom, it doesn’t go right through though and poses no problems.  Also it has a slightly wobbly bottom but nothing major.

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.