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

This listing is for a VERY SMALL Mikawachi-ware snake okimono made around 12 years ago by noted potter, Nakazato Taiyo XVIII.  It is made of porcelain and moulded to resemble a small white snake.  White snakes are considered to be good luck in Japan, and are a symbol for Benten, the Japanese goddess of wealth.  This piece was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Snake back in 2013.  The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box.

Nakazato Taiyo (b.1977) is a Mikawachi-ware potter and 18^th generation master of Hirado Kohsyo Danemon Gama.  Hirado Kohsyo has a long history and they’re renowned for their high quality, wheel-thrown pieces.  Long ago they exported pieces to royal courts in Europe, and their work is a part of the permanent collection at the British Museum as well as the Victoria & Albert Museum of Art and Design in London.  After graduating from the Arita College of Ceramics, Nakazato studied porcelain making techniques in Amsterdam and in Delft.  In 1994 he received the Grand Prize at the Mikawachi Pottery Exhibition, and in 2000 he spent five months studying porcelain making techniques in the Netherlands.  In 2006 he became the 18^th generation master of Hirado Kohsyo Danemon Gama, and he received an honourable mention at the annual Nagasaki Ceramics Exhibition.  In 2011 he received the Encouragement Award for his entry in the Traditional Products section of the Nagasaki Ceramics Exhibition, and in 2012 he received the Jury Award at the same exhibition.  In 2015 he served as Executive Committee Chairperson at the Mikawachi Pottery Hamazen Festival, and he created work to be presented to the imperial family in the Netherlands (now in the royal collection).  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Mikawachi-ware is another name for Hirado-ware, and it refers to pottery produced in the city of Mikawachi in Nagasaki Prefecture. The body of Mikawachi ware is of fine-grained, extremely white porcelain that is usually decorated with miniature-style paintings of landscapes, trees and flowers.  It has a 400 year history and has long been designated as purveyors for shogunate households and the imperial family.

Sizes

Box:  H.13.6cm (5.3”) x 13.6cm (5.3”) x 13.6cm (5.3”)

Snake:  H.6.2cm (2.4”) x 10cm (3.9”) across x 9.7cm (3.8”) from back to front

Condition

It’s 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.