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

This listing is for a set of five Ryukyu-ware hashioki chopstick rests made around 20 years ago by Nakagusuku Gama. Each piece is moulded to shisa and each features a different glaze combination.  Shisa are a traditional Ryukyuan decoration, often in pairs, resembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawan mythology. People place pairs of shisa on their rooftops or flanking the gates to their houses. Shisa are believed to protect homes from various types of evils. When in pairs, the left shisa traditionally has a closed mouth, the right one an open mouth. The open mouth wards off evil spirits, and the closed mouth keeps good spirits in.  They are quite large in size and they come with their original paper storage box.   They also come with a Japanese language profile paper. 

Nakagusuku Gama is a Ryukyu-ware kiln which operates under the name Asahi Pottery Co., Ltd. (Asahitouki).  It was established in 1974 in Naha City and mainly produces tableware, sake sets and ornamental pieces such as shisa.  The current head of operations is potter Yamanoha Satoshi, and production is taken care of by a team of craftspeople who specialise in moulding, firing and glazing pottery pieces.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Ryukyu-ware refers to earthenware and stoneware pottery produced on the Ryukyu Islands.  It first appeared during the Gusuku period (1100s-1400s) and was influenced by utilitarian wares from China.  It may be glazed or unglazed and mainly consists of ornaments like shisa, large pottery jars known as tsubo, tableware and to a lesser extent large urns.  Ryukyu-ware is also known as Nanban-ware, although this is more typically unglazed pieces.  Tsuboya-ware is now the centre of pottery production in Okinawa after kilns in Misato, Shuri and Naha were grouped together under the Ryukyu government in 1682.

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.4.5cm (1.7”) x 20.4cm (8”) x 8cm (3.1”)

Shisa:  H.3.3cm (1.2”) x L.6.9cm (2.7”) x W.4cm (1.5”)

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, 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.