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

This listing is for a pair of Akita-ware yunomi made around 20 years ago by Miura Ginichiro.  They are made of light coloured ‘hakudei ‘ clay, and the front of each cup is pushed in and decorated with Daruma.  Both pieces have been painstakingly moulded by hand, and the eyes are made of small balls of clay that roll around when the cups are moved.  Akita pieces change colour after frequent use, these cups are still their original colour and completely unused.  The stamp of the potter can be found near the base, and they come with their original paper storage box.

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.                                         

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.8.6cm (3.3”) x 14.8cm (5.8”) x 14.8cm (5.8”)

Larger:  H.6.7cm (2.6”) x Dia.7.2cm (2.8”)

Smaller:  H.5.7cm (2.2”) x Dia.6.1cm (2.4”)                                                                              

Condition

Both cups are in mint condition and are completely unused.                                                

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.