*THIS ITEM WEIGHS 2185 GRAMS WITHOUT PACKAGING, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR SHIPPING DETAILS AND UPGRADES.

This listing is for a Shigaraki-ware Year of the Dragon okimono by distinguished potter, Takahashi Rakusai IV.  It made of high-fired stoneware and features a natural ash glaze over a gritty clay body, the detail carved along the dragon’s back is simply splendid.  This piece was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Dragon back in 1988. The signature of the potter can be sound on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box.  It also comes with a turmeric coloured wrapping cloth for when the item is not in use. 

The Takahashi family has the honour of being one of the original potter families in Shiga, the first being Takahashi Tozaemon in the 1830s. They are largely responsible for reviving the techniques and traditions that were almost lost from long ago, and in 1964 the third generation was designated as an Intangible Cultural Property. The Rakusai family is probably best known for their three landscapes effect – a combination of fire colour, scorch markings, and vitrified glass. Takahashi Rakusai IV (b.1925) is the fourth generation master of the Takahashi family kiln, taking over in 1976 after the third generation passed away. Rakusai IV trained under Rakusai III, and he became a master at wood firing. He held various solo exhibitions in Japan, as well as a solo exhibition in Los Angeles. He was certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Shiga Prefecture by the Japanese government, and he served as Chairman of the Shigaraki Ceramic Artists Association. The Takahashi kiln is now in its fifth generation and headed by Rakusai IV’s eldest son, Kozo (b.1954).  **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.

Japanese okimono figurines are decorative items used for display purposes. Junishi okimono are those commemorating the twelve animals and mythological beasts from the astrological calendar. The Japanese astrological calendar is known as eto, and the twelve creatures are called junishi. The Zodiac’s popularity peaked during the Edo Era, and it was then that junishi okimono production became more widespread. These days, potters and production kilns produce hundreds of junishi each year to welcome the coming New Year. These are often displayed in shops, restaurants, people’s homes, and in tea rooms.

Sizes

Dragon:  H.24.5cm (9.6”) x 12.5cm (4.9”) x 12.5cm (4.9”)

Box:  H.27.3cm (10.7”) x 16.2cm (6.3”) across x W.17.3cm (6.8”)  

Condition

The box is in very good condition, and the dragon is also in very good condition aside from a repair to the jaw.  Please check the photos carefully.

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: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 11-12 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (10-15 days) available for an additional 8000 yen.

**UK , Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 8-12 weeks depending on the destination), an upgrade for EMS Express (10-15 days) available for an additional 6600 yen.

**Asia: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 6-8 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (7-10 days) available for an additional 3350 yen.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.