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

This listing is for a low fired raku chawan made around 10-20 years ago by noted potter, Nishimura Ichiraku.  It is hand-turned and the flat hira type used during the summer season.  Hira chawan are shallow bowls with low sides designed to cool tea down faster.  The bowl in this listing is decorated with small medaka fish.  Medaka are a small type of summer fish that inhabit rice paddies, lotus ponds, and slow moving streams. Depictions of them can be found on wind chimes, fans, and textiles, thus enabling people to feel a little cooler during the hot summer weather.  The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box.  It also comes with a stamped yellow wrapping cloth for when the item is not in use.  *PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHASHAKU TEA SCOOP IS NOT INCLUDED.

Nishimura Ichiraku (b.1951) is a Kyo-ware potter who works out of Hoen Gama in the mountainous area of Ayabe city in Kyoto Prefecture.  In 1973 he began studying under Deguchi Naoe and Ono Kyugyo.  In 1980 he became independent and Deguchi bestowed upon him the name ‘Ichiraku’.  He is a full time member of the Kyoto Ceramic Art Association, and his teaware is highly sought after by those who belong to the school of Urasenke.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Raku ware refers to low-fired ceramic ware first made in Kyoto by the Raku Family, its origins going as far back as the 16th century. It is traditionally characterised by being hand shaped rather than thrown. Raku is typically delicate, lightweight, and earthy to the touch. Aka (red) raku bowls are fired at 800 degrees, whilst the kuro (black) bowls can be fired up to 1200 degrees. The glaze for black bowls is made from crushed black stones retrieved from the Kamogawa River in Kyoto. Red bowls are coloured by adding translucent glaze over a pinkish clay body. When using raku bowls you should always wipe well with a warm cloth before use. It is possible to cause small cracks if you suddenly add boiling water.                                                                                                  

Sizes

Box:  H.10.4cm (4”) x 16.2cm (6.3”) x 16.2cm (6.3”)

Chawan:  H.6.5cm (2.5”) x Dia.13.3cm (5.2”)

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.