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

This listing is for a Mino-ware chawan made around 30 years ago by Kato Tohzan. 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.

Tohzan Gama is a small pottery studio located in the mountainous area of ​​Toki City, Gifu Prefecture.  It was established by Kato Tohzan I, and is currently in its second generation.  They mainly produce tableware, specialising in kohiki glazed pieces, however they also produce tea bowls similar to Kyo-ware and Seto-ware.  Kato Tohzan II (b.Kenji in 1950) wheel throws all of his pieces and mainly fires in gas and electric kilns.  His work can be found at high end department stores across Japan, and his teaware is popular because of their seasonal motifs.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Mino-ware refers to pottery produced in what was formerly the old Mino Province, which is modern day Gifu Prefecture. Early examples of Mino-ware were predominantly ash-glazed stoneware pieces. Later however the use of the potter’s wheel, as well as a greater variety of glazes, began to characterize what is often thought to ideally represent Mino pottery today. Larger production kilns like Kozangama in Gifu Prefecture produce wares similar to Imari and Arita-ware. Various other kilns specialize in producing budget priced tableware, along with high end wares for various brand name stores and franchises around the country such as Tachikichi in Kyoto.                                                    
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.