*FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES SHIPPING IS SET FOR EMS TO ALL AVAILABLE DESTINATIONS.

This listing is for a Momoyama utsushi chawan made by distinguished potter Sasaki Shoraku III.  This piece is inspired by a matte glazed bowl named ‘Ayame’, a bowl made by Chojiro (d. 1589).  It is an utsushi piece - a reinterpretation of an art object from the past.  This chawan, like others by Shoraku, is inspired by the creative principles of tea master Sen no Rikyu.  It is hand-turned and covered in a dry glaze with a rust coloured haze rising to the surface.  Its stillness has distinctive appeal, and it possesses the soft warmth of hand moulding.  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 paper box to protect the tomobako, as well as a stamped turmeric coloured wrapping cloth for when the bowl is stored and not in use.  There are two profile papers, one contains information about the bowl ‘Ayame’.   ** The original ayame chawan is currently in the collection of the Atami MOA Museum of Art.  After Rikyu’s passing it was passed down to his grandson, Sen no Sōtan (1578–1658).  Sōtan wrote inscriptions on the box which Shoraku has added to the box in this listing.  *PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHASEN TEA WHISK IS NOT INCLUDED.

Sasaki Shoraku (b.1944) is a third generation Raku-ware potter working out of Shoraku Gama in Kyoto. He began studying under his father Shoraku II in 1962, and has spent much of his career producing high quality tea ware. Shoraku Gama specializes in aka raku and kuro raku pieces, and a lot of effort has gone into preserving traditional methods and techniques. Also Shoraku chawan usually have the wonderful ‘gozan’ peaks on the rim. These peaks represent the five main Zen temples in Kyoto, and are considered an important and traditional aesthetic associated with high quality Raku-ware. **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

Paper Outer Box:  H.14.5cm (5.7”) x 15.5cm (6.1”) x 15.5cm (6.1”)

Box:  H.12.5cm (4.9”) x 13.8cm (5.4”) x 13.8cm (5.4”)

Chawan:  H.8.2cm (3.2”) x Dia.10cm (3.9”)

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:  EMS Express 7-10 days.

**Asia:  EMS Express 3-5 days.

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.