*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 Seto-ware yunomi made around 20 years ago by Intangible Cultural Property, Kato Sho. They are wheel-thrown and decorated with a harmonious combination of light and dark coloured glaze, with a sprinkling of natural ash glaze. Their appearance is beautifully serene – a dawn landscape depicting the soft glow of the rising sun from behind the misty hills. Both cups are ample in size and well suited to daily use. The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom, and they come with their original signed wooden storage box.  They also come with two turmeric coloured wrapping cloths for when the cups are not in use.  *PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHASHAKU TEA SCOOP IS NOT INCLUDED.

Kato Sho (1927-2001) was a renowned potter from the Seto area and worked out of Seto Gama. In 1961 he gained selection at the prestigious Nitten Exhibition, and in 1962 he was selected for the Japan Modern Art Exhibition. In 1963 he won the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Award at the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition. In 1964 he received the Tokusen Hokuto Award at the Nitten Exhibition, and he became a member of the Kofukai Fine Arts group. He showcased his work and exhibited overseas in Mexico, New Zealand, Italy etc, and in 1966 he was invited to become a judge at the Japan Modern Art Exhibition. In 1967 he produced a commissioned piece for Nitten, and he exhibited at the Modern Ceramic Arts Exhibition. The Modern Museum of Art purchased his work the same year, and in 1968 he won the Foreign Ministry Award at Nitten and they purchased his work. In 1974 he was selected to become a judge at Nitten, and in 1979 he was invited to judge at the Japan New Craft Exhibition. In 1981 he received the Culture Award at the Aichi Prefecture Art Exhibition, and in 1982 he received the Nitten Members Award. In 1985 he received the Aichi Prefecture Cultural Merit Award, and in 1986 he received the Prime Minister’s Award at the New Japan Craft Exhibition. In the year 2000 he was designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of Aichi Prefecture, this being a major accomplishment and just one step away from becoming a National Living Treasure. Sadly he passed away one year later. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

Seto-ware was originally used to describe ceramics that were produced in and around the village of Seto, in Aichi Prefecture. The soil around the city contains good quality porcelain clay as well as silica for making glass. Among the major kiln groups established by the Kamakura period only those at Seto developed the deliberately applied glaze instead of the old natural ash glaze. The rich Seto glaze was perfected during the fifteenth century, and later adopted by potters of Mino Province. Seto is currently the largest producer of ceramic novelties, such as animal and bird okimono, dolls, ashtrays, and vases.                                                                                                                               

Sizes

Box:  H.10.5cm (4.1”) x 17.8cm (7”) x 9.7cm (3.8”)

Cups:  H.7.3cm (2.8”) x Dia.7cm (2.7”) and H.7.5cm (2.9”) x Dia.6.7cm (2.6”)                          

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.