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

This listing is for a vintage kuro raku chawan made around 30 years ago by Sasaki Shoraku III.  It is hand-shaped 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 black glaze and a small line of white on the interior. The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, sorry no box for this one.  

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 considerable 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.                                                                                                   

Size

H.5.5cm (2.1”) x Dia.13.2cm (5.1”)                                                                                           

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks but it needs a good soaking before use.                                                                                                                                         

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:  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 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.