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

This listing is for an exquisite susutake bamboo chago made by sanuki take-ittobori master craftsman, Nishimura Akimine.  A chago is a scoop for taking tea leaves from a chatsubo.  They are generally made of bamboo and shaped like half a cylinder.  The bamboo used for this particular chago gets its name from the colour of bamboo roofing in old thatched-roof minka. Over time, bamboo roofing beams become darkened due to constant exposure to the smoke from the central hearth.  Susutake tea utensils undergo a long curing process, which makes them very tough and durable.  The chago in this listing is a masterpiece that combines delicate lines with the strength and beauty of bamboo. The signature and stamp of the artisan can be found to the left of the tiger, and it comes with its original paper storage box.  It also comes with a stamped turmeric coloured wrapping cloth for when the item is not in use, as well as a Japanese language profile paper about the craftsman. 

Nishimura Akimine (b.1942) is a sanuki take-ittobri master craftsman from Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku.  In 1980 he established Nishimura Kogei (Crafts), and in 1994 his work was selected for the Japan Sencha Crafts Exhibition.  He has exhibited at this particular exhibition a total of 16 times since then. In 1999 he was certified as a Traditional Take-Ittobori Craftsperson by the Kagawa Prefectural Government.  In 2001 he became a full time member of the Japan Sencha Kogei Association, and in April 2005 he was recognised by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry for his achievement in reviving bamboo carving.  In 2008 he received an award from the Governor of Kagawa Prefecture for the encouragement of bamboo carving and popularisation of handicrafts.  In 2017 he received the Contemporary Master Craftsman Certification for bamboo carving, and in 2018 he received the highly coveted Autumn Medal (Medal with Yellow Ribbon) and the Business Encouragement Award. Nishimura makes his own carving tools, carefully fashioning the handles out of astringent bamboo roots.  His work is very popular among tea enthusiasts and collectors alike.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

Sanuki take-ittobori refers to a method of bamboo carving from Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. It originated in China and has been widely practiced in Japan since the Nara period.  Kagawa is also home to Sanuki-bori wood carving.  This type is somewhat different, pieces are coated in lacquer and usually decorated with carved, hand-painted designs.  Sanuki carvers make a lot of larger, more functional pieces such as trays, chabitsu, bowls etc.,

whereas ittobori carvers tend to make small ornaments and figurines.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Koedo and cannot be used in your own listings.

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.3.3cm (1.2”) x 16.5cm (6.4”) x 6cm (2.3”)

Chago:  L.14.7cm (5.7”)

Condition

This particular item is 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.