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

This listing is for a small Akita-ware yunomi made around 30-40 years ago by Miura Ginichiro.  It is made of light coloured ‘hakudei ‘ clay, and the front is pushed in and decorated with Daruma.  This piece has been painstakingly moulded by hand, and the eyes are made of small balls of clay that roll around when the cup is moved.  Akita pieces change colour after frequent use, this cup has been used and changed from its original colour.  Please note that this piece is UNSIGNED.

Miura Ginichiro (b.1942) was an Akita-ware potter and the third generation to make Akita pottery.  The first generation, Okuda Douyu, started making pottery in Hodono ward in Akita city in 1893.  In the beginning it was very simple hand moulded earthenware, but later on Daruma and frogs were added to unglazed wares.  Both the first and second generations signed their wares ‘Douyu’.  Miura was third generation to continue the craft and signed his wares ‘Douraku’.   He mainly produced teapots and tea cups, and no two hand-formed Daruma have the same face.  Unfortunately Miura passed away and there is no successor.  We visited Akita in February 2015 and attempted to visit his workshop, however it was closed and we were informed that he had passed away.  Most likely it will become quite difficult to acquire Akita pieces in the future.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Akita-ware refers to unglazed pottery produced in Akita Prefecture in Northern Japan.   It is made of light coloured earthenware clay and usually features moulded landscapes and Daruma.  The potter pushes one side of the vessel inwards and moulds scenery by carefully pushing and working the clay.  Akita-ware is light coloured when it is unused, however it will change colour and will turn black with constant use.  This is due to the interaction between the tea leaves and high iron content in the clay. The tannin from the tea reacts with the clay which slowly changes the colour to black. It is said that the potter begins the vessel’s journey and the drinker completes the cycle.                                         

Size

H.6cm (2.3”) x Dia.6.2cm (2.4”)                                                                                               

Condition

Two tiny chips above his right eye, two small hairline cracks on rim above face (visible when wet), and it has changed colour from use.  Eventually it will turn black if used frequently.                                                      

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:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for Airmail or EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet option unavailable.

**UK and Canada:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet and regular Airmail is currently unavailable.

**Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.