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

This listing is for a splendid Kyo-ware chawan made around 30-40 years ago by Kato Iwao.  It is wheel-thrown and the flat hira type used during the summer season. Hira chawan are shallow bowls with low sides designed to cool tea down faster.  The interior of the bowl in this listing is decorated with a leaf imprint painted with cobalt blue underglaze.  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 stamped yellow wrapping cloth for when the item is not in use, as well as a Japanese language profile about the potter. 

Kato Iwao (1930-1987) was a Kyo-ware potter and master of porcelain ware.  He studied under his father Kato Toshimasa and under master potter Kusube Yaichi.  In 1947 he graduated from the Kyoto Municipal Art and Craft School, and in 1953 he joined the Kyoto Ceramics Association.  His work was also selected for the prestigious Nitten Exhibition the same year.  1954 he exhibited at the Kyoto City Exhibition, the Kyoto Prefectural Crafts Exhibition, the Kansai Sogo Exhibition, and the Asahi Contemporary Ceramic Arts Exhibition.  Five years later he was again selected to exhibit work at the Asahi Contemporary Ceramic Arts Exhibition, and in 1964 one of his pieces was purchased by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  In 1965 his work was exhibited at the Nitten Fine Arts Exhibition and purchased by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Two years later he received the Governors Award at the Kyoto Prefectural Art Exhibition, and the Nikkei Newspaper Award at the Kyoto City Exhibition.  In 1969 his work was selected for Kyoto City Exhibition and the Contemporary Crafts Overseas Exhibition.  He became a member of Nitten and served as Director of the Japan New Crafts Federation.  His dyed leaf hira chawan are considered to be some of his finest work during his long and successful career as a potter.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Kyo-ware originated in the 17th century in Kyoto and features overglaze enamel pigments on a porcelain base. The porcelain base acts as white canvas, allowing for beautiful and superior quality designs to be painted. Kyo-ware artisans traditionally produced chawan and utensils for the tea ceremony, however contemporary potters specialize in tableware, tea ceremony items, incense holders, and okimono. Kyo-ware was designated as a traditional craft in 1977.                                                                        

Sizes

Box:  H.9.3cm (3.6”) x 19.7cm (7.7”) x 19.7cm (7.7”)

Chawan:  H.5cm (1.9”) x Dia.16.5cm (6.4”)                                                                              

Condition

It’s 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.