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

This listing is for a Kyo-ware chawan made around 30 years ago by Kato Tozan. It is wheel-thrown and decorated with hand-painted depictions of eggplants.  The beloved eggplant holds special meaning in Japan, it is seen as particularly good luck if your first dream in the New Year includes Mt. Fuji, a hawk, and an eggplant. It is also said the eggplant was the favourite food of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Eggplants also happen to be one of Japan’s more popular summer vegetables, and this is because they are believed to have a cooling effect on the body. Another traditional use is the making of decorations for the annual Obon festival. Obon is a festival for commemorating the spirits of ancestors. Eggplants and cucumbers are transformed into horses and oxen by adding makeshift legs made out of chopsticks. The spirits are then safely transported to and from the ancestral home.   The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with a paper storage box.

Kato Tozan (b.Kenji 1950) is a Kyo-ware and Kiyomizu-ware potter who produces Ninsei style and celadon glazed vessels.  He primarily produces teaware, and his hand-painted pieces often depict the seasons or special celebrations in Japan.  **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
Paper Box: H.8.4cm (3.3”) x 13.8cm (5.4”) x 13.8cm (5.4”)
Chawan: H.7.2cm (2.8”) x Dia.12cm (4.7”)

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 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.