*THIS ITEM WEIGHS 1965 GRAMS WITHOUT PACKAGING, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR SHIPPING DETAILS AND PRICE OPTIONS FOR UPGRADING TO EMS EXPRESS.

This listing is for a splendid Shigaraki-ware vase made around 30 years ago by Ito Kei.  It is made of high-fired stoneware and wood-fired in an anagama tunnel kiln.  It has a wonderfully organic shape and a Muromachi style cross pattern just below the rim.  This piece also has two small ‘mimi’ handles, as well as a generous amount of natural ash deposits on the front.  The signature of the kiln can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box.  It also comes with a turmeric coloured wrapping cloth for when the vase is not in use, and a Japanese language profile paper about the potter.

Ito Kei (1937-1999) was a Shigaraki potter and son of Shiga potter Ito Shuseki.  He is best known for using a paddling method combining Shigaraki clay with the old Iga style.  During his career he exhibited at various exhibitions across Japan, the first being the 7^th Ceramic Art Exhibition.  His work was also selected for the 14^th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and he was selected seven times to exhibit at the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition.   He exhibited at the 11^th Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition where he received the Encouragement Award, and he was invited to exhibit at the Chunichi Ceramics Biennale on two occasions.  He received awards at the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition five times, and he received the Mie Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award.  Ito exhibited pieces at the

Contemporary Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition, and his work was exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  His work was purchased by the Mie Prefectural Museum of Art, as well as the Japan Foundation.  Ito served as a Mie Prefecture Exhibition Judge, and as a judge for the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition.  He also served as a regular member of Japan Crafts Association.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

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.      

Sizes

Box:  H.28.1cm (11”) x 14.7cm (5.7”) x 14.7cm (5.7”)

Vase:  H.23.5cm (9.2”) x 9.5cm (3.7”) diameter rim                                                                 

Condition

It’s in very good condition aside from a minor firing crack on the bottom, the crack doesn’t go right through and the water has been tested for leaks.

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: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 11-12 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (10-15 days) available for an additional 6300 yen.

**UK , Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 8-12 weeks depending on the destination), an upgrade for EMS Express (10-15 days) available for an additional 5100 yen.  

**Asia: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 6-8 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (7-10 days) available for an additional 2650 yen.

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

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.