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

This listing is for a vintage Kyo-ware okimono made by master potter, Kawai Seitoku.  It is made of porcelain slip and moulded to resemble a treasure ship filled with amulets, the kanji for the snake year appears along the sides of the boat.  This piece was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Snake in 2001.  The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original wooden storage box.  It also comes with a stamped turmeric coloured storage cloth, as well as a Japanese language profile paper about the potter. 

Kawai Seitoku (1927-2010) was a Kyo-ware master potter who specialised in producing teaware and expertly glazed ornamental pieces.  He was born in Oita and served in the military before becoming a ceramic artist.  In 1947 he began studying under nihonga painter Yamamoto Koun (1896-1993) in Kyoto, and in 1949 he became an apprentice under Morokuma Teizan.  In 1951 he began working as an underglaze painter under the tutelage of Kato Toshimasa (b.1902), and in 1952 he joined the Kyoto Ceramic Artists Association and began studying under Kiyomizu Rokubei VI.  His work was selected for the prestigious Nitten Fine Arts Exhibition the same year.  In 1953 he married Kawai Einosuke's eldest daughter and became the successor of the Kawai family kiln.  He then joined the Japan Contemporary Crafts Artists Association where his work received numerous awards.  In 1962 he received the Special Hokuto Award at the Nitten Exhibition, and in 1968 he received the Kikuka Award.  In 1971 he received the Contemporary Art Members Award, and in 1975 he received the highly coveted Medal of Honour (Dark Blue Ribbon) from the Japanese government in recognition for his ceramic porcelain-ware techniques.  In 1979 he received the Nitten Members Award, and in 1983 he received the Prime Ministers Award at the Japan New Crafts Exhibition.  In 1989 he received the Prime Ministers Award at the Nitten Exhibition, and in 1991 he received the Prime Ministers Award at the Japan New Crafts Exhibition.  In 1992 he received the Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Award Merit Award, and in 1997 he received the Japan Art Academy Award, and he became director of the Nitten Exhibition.  In 1998 he was designated as a Kyoto City Person of Cultural Merit, and in 2000 he became vice-president of the Japan New Crafts Association.  In 2002 he was promoted to president.  In 2003 he served as chairman of the Japan New Crafts Association, he became a member of the Japan Art Academy in 2005, the managing director of the Nitten Exhibition in 2007, and an advisor to the Nitten Exhibition in 2008.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Japanese okimono figurines are decorative items used for display purposes. Junishi okimono are those commemorating the twelve animals and mythological beasts from the astrological calendar. The Japanese astrological calendar is known as eto, and the twelve creatures are called junishi. The Zodiac’s popularity peaked during the Edo Era, and it was then that junishi okimono production became more widespread. These days, potters and production kilns produce hundreds of junishi each year to welcome the coming New Year. These are often displayed in shops, restaurants, people’s homes, and in tea rooms.

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.14cm (5.5”) x 22.3cm (8.7”) x 16.5cm (6.4”)

Okimono:  H.10.2cm (4”) x 19.3cm (7.5”) x 12cm (4.7”)

Condition

Both the box and okimono 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.