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

This listing is for a Shigaraki-ware hira chawan made around 20 years ago by Nishio Kafune.   It is wheel-thrown and the flat hira type used during the summer season. Hira chawan are shallow bowls with low sides designed to cool tea down faster. This piece features glossy transparent glaze and three hand-painted dragonflies on the interior.   The interior and exterior also features gohonte markings.  Gohonte refers to the pale spots that appear on the pottery due to the natural reactions from the iron found in the clay when being fired in the kiln.  The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original paper storage box.  *PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHASEN TEA WHISK IS NOT INCLUDED. 

Nishio Kafune (b.1950) is a Shigaraki potter and third son of noted potter Nishio Hikoshiro.  In 1969 he graduated from Shigaraki Pottery High School and went to Kyoto to study under noted potter Tezuka Hisashi.  Four years later he returned to Shiga and began making teaware at the family kiln.  In 1983 he became independent and opened his own kiln in Koki city, Shiga.  He is best known for his mix of Shigaraki and Kyo-ware techniques, as well as his hand-painted wares such as the chawan in this listing.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Shigaraki-ware refers to pottery made in Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is perhaps one of the more well-known types of stoneware with its origins dating back to the Kamakura period. The Shiga region is home to one of the six oldest kilns in Japan, and this is because of its superb clay. It has a reddish-orange colour, along with a natural ash glaze acquired from the deposit of ashes in the kilns. Pieces of quartz, feldspar or silica can often be found on the surface, giving Shigaraki a wonderful gritty texture and rustic charm. Historically potters produced wares specifically for the tea ceremony, however craftsmen gradually shifted to producing items such as vases and sake bottles as well.

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.7.8cm (3”) x 17.3cm (6.8”) x 17.3cm (6.8”)

Chawan:  H.5.6cm (2.2”) x Dia.15.4cm (6”)

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.