*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 Year of the Dog toothpick holder made by Kataoka Seikan.  It was made using a mould and features hidasuki markings. Hidasuki refers to the process of wrapping wares with cords of straw, which are then fired off resulting brilliant shades of red.  Toothpick holders like these are also ideal for growing air plants.  The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom.

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.  He is most famous for his brilliant hidasuki wares.  **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.7.2cm (2.8”) x 5.3cm (2”) across x 3.1cm (1.2”) from back to front

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks, behind the head is a little bumpy where the straw didn’t completely burn off.

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.