*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 Bizen-ware yunomi made around 20 years ago by female potter, Karaoke Hotoku. They are wheel-thrown using dark coloured stoneware clay, and wood-fired in a noborigama climbing kiln. The front of each cup features a generous sprinkling of goma ash glaze. Goma is the light brown colour on the surface resembling sesame seed paste, and it is the result of red pine ash melting onto the surface.  The signature of the potter can be on the bottom of each cup, and they come with their original signed wooden storage box.  They also come with a Japanese language profile paper.

Karaoke Hotoku (b.1944) is a Bizen-ware potter from the Asakuchi district in Okayama.  She studied under Bizen potter Kinami Chikasen, and master sculptor Okamoto Kimpo (1907-1999).  In 1981 she became independent and built a multi-chambered noborigama climbing kiln and named it Hotoku Gama.  In 1982 she held her first solo exhibition, followed by various solo exhibitions at department stores in Kyoto.  She received an award at the Women's Ceramics Exhibition, and her work has been selected for various exhibitions in and around Okayama.  Karaoke primarily produces flower vases, tea utensils, tableware and okimono.  **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.

Sizes

Box:  H.10.7cm (4.2”) x 22.3cm (8.7”) x 11.7cm (4.6”)

Cups:  H.8cm (3.1”) x 7.2cm (2.8”) and H.7.9cm (3.1”) x Dia.7cm (2.7”)

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.