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

This listing is for a pair of Mumyoi-ware yunomi made by Living National Treasure, Ito Sekisui V. They are wheel-thrown and decorated with hand-painted flowers over a tan coloured background base. This particular set is what we call meoto style, meaning they are two different sizes and often referred to as a husband and wife pair. The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom of each piece, and they come with their original signed wooden storage box.  They also come with a Japanese language profile paper about the potter.

Ito Sekisui V (b.1941) is a Living National Treasure and the 5th generation master of Sekisui Gama located on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture. His father, Sekisui IV, passed away suddenly when Sekisui V was just 19 years old. At this time Sekisui V made a decision to learn pottery and take over the family kiln. He studied Ceramics at the Kyoto Institute of Technology and returned to Sado Island. He began experimenting with firing techniques which resulted in black yohen markings over red clay. He is best known for his superb neriage pieces that are created by layering and patching together clay of different colours. He was designated as a Living National Treasure in 2003, and since then received the Medal with Purple Ribbon Award in 2005, the Order of the Rising Sun in 2011, and the Gold Rays with Rosette Award from the Emperor also in 2011. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

Mumyoi-ware refers to the red clay pottery produced on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture. The clay has a high iron content and is collected from the Aikawa gold mine and surrounding mountains. Originally Mumyoi-ware was a mix of red and yellow clay. However a potter named Jozan Miura studied the art of Yixing teapot making and went onto develop his own style of tea ware using just red clay. This explains why Mumyoi-ware closely resembles Chinese Yi Xing teapot production.

Sizes

Box:  H.10.8cm (4.2”) x 17.4cm (6.8”) x 9.2cm (3.6”)

Larger Cup:  H.8cm (3.1”) x Dia.6.3cm (2.4”)

Smaller Cup:  H.7.5cm (2.9”) x Dia.6cm (2.3”)

Condition

Both cups are 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.