*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.                                                                           
This listing is for a set of five Bizen-ware hashioki chopstick rests made by noted potter, Kataoka Seikan. They are wood-fired and are an assortment of sea creatures. The set consists of three fish, an octopus and a squid. The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom of each piece. 

Kataoka Seikan (b.1948) was born in Shiga Prefecture, and originally worked in the field of tableware manufacturing at a production kiln. He left manufacturing and turned to studio pottery, apprenticing under the highly esteemed, Mimura Tohaku. He became independent and built his own kiln in 1979. His work has been received favourably at competitions, he received the Encouragement Award at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, was selected to exhibit at the Chunichi International Ceramic Arts Exhibition, and was also selected to exhibit at the prestigious Japan Ceramic Arts 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.

Sizes
Flatfish: H.1.6cm (0.6”) x L.6.8cm (2.6”) x W.4.5cm (1.7”)
Octopus: H.1.7cm (0.6”) x L.6.2cm (2.4”) x W.3.5cm (1.3”)
Squid: H.1.8cm (0.7”) x L.7.1cm (2.7”) x W.2.7cm (1”)
Fish: H.1cm (0.3”) x L.8.3cm (3.2”) x W.4.3cm (1.6”)
Open Mouth Fish: H.1.7cm (0.6”) x L.8cm (3.1”) x W.2.2cm (0.8”)

Condition
The entire set is 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 ePacket (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

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

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.