*THIS ITEM WEIGHS 1295 GRAMS WITHOUT PACKAGING, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR SHIPPING DETAILS AND UPGRADES.

This listing is for a set of five Kyo-ware plates made around 20 years ago by noted potter, Morioka Kasho III.  They are made of high-fired stoneware and each plate is decorated with a different pattern – ume blossoms, ‘debune’ departing ships, double mugwort, flowing water and autumn grass.  These patterns are copies of work produced by Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743) during the Edo period.  This is a lovely set for any season and perfect for serving sweets.  The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom of each plate, and they come with their original signed wooden storage box.  They also come with a stamped yellow wrapping cloth for when the plates are not in use. 

Morioka Kasho III (1937-2009) was a Kyo-ware potter and third generation master of Kasho Gama.  Kasho Gama was established in 1914 in the Gojozaka pottery district of Kyoto.  In 1917, at the tender age of five, the second generation was entrusted to the care of the famous Raku family, and continued his training until the age of 20.  In 1937, he succeeded to the name Morioka Kasho and became the second generation master at 25 years of age.  In 1956 Kasho III took over as the third generation master at just 19 years old.  In 1970 he held his first solo exhibition at the Mitsukoshi Main Store in Tokyo, he continued to exhibit every year until 1975.  In 1978 he held a solo exhibition in Nihonbashi in Tokyo, and he continued to exhibit there every year until 1981. His next solo exhibition was at in 1984 at Shinjuku Isetan Gallery, and he continued to exhibit there every other year until 1998. In 1993 he held the "35^th Anniversary Exhibition of Pottery" at the Ginza Central Picture Gallery in Tokyo, and in 2002 he held exhibitions of "Tea Ceramics", "Flower Ceramics" and "Cooking Ceramics" at Tokyo Art Club.  In 2006 he held the "50 Years Ceramic Art Exhibition" at the Tokyo Art Club, his last exhibition before he passed away in June 2009.  His eldest son (b.1974) held a memorial exhibition at Kasho Gama and assumed the title of Morioka Kasho IV.  He studied glazing in China and built an anagama climbing kiln in Shiga Prefecture in 1998. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

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.10.5cm (4.1”) x 18.8cm (7.4”) x 18.8cm (7.4”)

Plates:  H.1.8cm (0.7”) x Dia.15.4cm (6”)

Condition

The entire set is 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: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 11-12 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (10-15 days) available for an additional 6300 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 5100 yen. 

**Asia: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 6-8 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (7-10 days) available for an additional 5750 yen.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.