*THIS ITEM WEIGHS 2215 GRAMS WITHOUT PACKAGING, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR SHIPPING DETAILS AND UPGRADES.

This listing is for a splendid Bizen-ware mizusashi made around 40-50 years ago by noted potter, Kimura Toho. Mizusashi are intended for replenishing the kettle during the tea ceremony, but they are multi-purpose and may be used for storage or display. The mizusashi in this listing is wheel-thrown and features what is known as hidasuki markings. Hidasuki refers to the process of wrapping wares with cords of straw which fire off and leave brilliant red streaks.  It has nice tall sides and the lid is the tomo-buta type, meaning that it is made from the same material and with the same design as the rest of the mizusashi.  Kimura’s signature can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box. It also comes with a Japanese language profile paper.

Kimura Toho (b.1927) was born into one of the ‘Six Families of Bizen’ that were officially designated as honourable craftsmen by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The Kimura family has been in the business for twelve generations, and Toho is the second generation master of Tosho-en Gama. Kimura’s father Shoji established the Tosho-en noborigama kiln back in 1923. Kimura had originally planned to become a lawyer, and moved to Tokyo to study at Chuo University. However he abandoned his studies before graduation and returned to Inbe to help with the family business. In 1945 he won the Good Design Award at the 1945 Washington International Exhibition. In 1962 he officially took over the family kiln after his father passed away. He is best known for his wide range of teaware, vases, and sake vessels. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Okayama Prefecture Bizen-ware Ceramics Association, as well as the Vice Chairman of the Okayama Bizen Pottery Art Museum. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Bizen-ware is generally known for its iron-like hardness, simple unglazed texture, and distinctive markings resulting from wood-burning kiln firing. Because of the clay composition, Bizen pottery is fired slowly over a long period of time. Firings take place only once or twice a year. They require the wood fire to be kept burning for 10-14 days, which involves long hours and tonnes of wood. Bizen clay is dug up from rice fields and this iron rich clay is what gives most Bizen-ware its dark colours, though, a few potters prefer to use lighter mountain clay.

Sizes

Box:  H.30.5cm (12”) x 16.2cm (6.3”) x 16.2cm (6.3”)

Mizusashi:  H.22.3cm (8.7”) x Dia.12.7cm (5”)

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks, however the corners of the lid are slightly warped.

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: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 11-12 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (10-15 days) available for an additional 8000 yen.

**UK , Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 8-12 weeks depending on the destination), an upgrade for EMS Express (10-15 days) available for an additional 6600 yen.

**Asia: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 6-8 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (7-10 days) available for an additional 3350 yen.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.