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

This listing is for an Awata-ware chawan made around 20-30 years ago by Okada Kazan.  It is wheel-thrown 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 beautiful hand-painted piece depicts the harvest moon with gently swaying pampas grass. During autumn in Japan, we celebrate the harvest moon festival which is known as tsukimi. Traditionally people gave thanks for bountiful harvests, they offered mochi and vegetables in return for successful crops again the following year. Some people have gatherings and write haiku, others display pampas grass and watch outdoor Noh performances. No matter the celebration it’s a beautiful time of year, and one that can be enjoyed with a bowl of tea.  The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box. 

Okada Kazan (b.1948) is an Awata-ware potter and member of the illustrious Okada family of potters.  The Okada family served Awataguchi Shoren-in Temple and were given the potter name ‘Gyozan’.  Kazan is also the son of female potter Okada Kakei from Akane Gama in Higashiyama, Kyoto.  In 1972 he graduated from university and began studying under Gyozan VII and his mother Kakei.  Her influence of tea pottery design is easily recognised in his earlier works.  In 1998 he became the 8^th generation master of the Okada family kiln and is now Okada Gyozan VIII.  Kazan is an active artist and exhibits with his mother in and around the Kansai area.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Awata-ware refers to pottery produced in Kyoto.  Long ago there were seven entrances into Kyoto city, and the Awata entrance was the one connected to Tokyo.  In the early 1600s kilns began to open in this area, and it is widely believed that these were the first in Kyoto.  One of the first potters was a Seto-ware potter named Sanmonjiya Kyuuemon, so there are some notable similarities between Awata-ware and Seto-ware. It is said that the great Nonomura Ninsei learned how to throw pots in Awata, and later moved to Seto to study glazing.  After returning to Kyoto he introduced the technique of decorating with overglazes, and he began producing colourful pieces glazed with red, blue, green, purple, gold, and silver.  It remained popular throughout the Edo period, however by the end of the Meiji period Awata-ware it began to lose popularity due to its unchanged designs and stains in the crackling.  It has since seen a revival of sorts and is popular among tea practitioners.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.                                                                                         

Sizes

Box:  H.9cm (3.5”) x 17cm (6.6”) x 17cm (6.6”)

Chawan:  H.5.3cm (2”) x Dia.14.5cm (5.7”)                                                                              

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks, the box however is a little spotty.         

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:  Airmail (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for Airmail or EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet option unavailable.

**UK and Canada:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet and regular Airmail is currently unavailable.

**Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.