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

This listing is for a Kutani-ware incense burner made around 20 years ago by noted potter, Kato Akio. It is made of porcelain and moulded to resemble three eggplants supported on three legs. It is coated in two shades of blue saiyu glaze and has a white unglazed interior. The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box. It also comes with a Japanese language profile about the potter. 

Kato Akio (b.1942) is a Kutani-ware potter and overglaze enamel specialist. He began studying Kutani-ware in 1970, and in 1975 he started studying under master potter Takegoshi Toshiaki (b.1940). Four years later his work was selected for the 35th Contemporary Art Exhibition, and in 1988 his work was selected for the 27th Hokuriku Chunichi Art Exhibition. In 1990 he exhibited at the prestigious 22nd Nitten Exhibition, and in 1991 his work was selected for the 1st Nikko Association Exhibition. In 1995 he held a solo exhibition at Iwamizawa in Hokkaido, and in 1996 his work was selected for the 28th Nitten Exhibition. In 1997 he received the Kaga Mayor Award at the 57th Contemporary Art Exhibition, and in 1998 he was invited to become a member of the Nikko Association. In 1999 and 2002 he received the Nikko Association Exhibition Member Award, and in 2000 he received the Kanazawa Lions Club Award at the 60th Contemporary Art Exhibition. Other achievements include receiving the Komatsu Mayor Award at the 8th Kutani Newcomer Exhibition, the Chamber of Commerce Award at the 10th Kutani-ware Exhibition, and the Encouragement Award at the 14th Kutani Newcomer Exhibition. He is a full-time member of the Komatsu Artist Association, and he donated a large porcelain plate to Brisbane city in Australia. Kato’s work commands high prices and he is particularly famous for his Ko-Kutani glazed pieces. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Kutani is the name for porcelain ware made in the town of Kutani, in modern day Ishikawa Prefecture. This type of porcelain ware is known for its vivid colours and distinct designs, which in many cases can cover the entire surface. These designs were influenced by Chinese ceramics, paintings, and textiles. Kutani-ware can be broken into the following types: Ko-Kutani (around 1650-1700), Mokubei style (around 1805-1817), Yoshidaya style (1818-1829), Iidaya Style (1830-1845), Eiraku style (1865-1868), and the Shoza Style (1860-1880). Typical decorating techniques include the Ao-Tsubu pattern with raised blue dots, Saiyu Glazes (red, green, yellow, purple, blue), the Yuri-kinsai technique of using gold leaf and gold powder under transparent glaze, and the ginsai technique of using silver leaf and silver powder under transparent glaze.

Sizes
Box: H.14.1cm (5.5”) x 13.7cm (5.3”) x 13.7cm (5.3”)
Koro: H.11.8cm (4.6”) x 9.2cm (3.6”) across x 6.3cm (2.4”) diameter opening

Condition
It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks, however there are some glue marks on the inside of the box from when it was made.

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.