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

This listing is for a splendid raku chawan made around 20 years ago by noted potter, Sasaki Shoraku III. It is hand-turned and the front is decorated with an image of Mt. Fuji and matsu pine.  Mt. Fuji has long inspired artists and poets, its solitary presence well documented in scrolls, woodblock prints, and literature since the 11th century. It is a popular motif during New Year due to its sacred and artistic landscape. In Japanese culture there is a belief in ‘hatsuyume’, which is the first dream of the New Year. According to an old Japanese proverb it is extremely good luck to dream about Mt. Fuji, hawks, and eggplants on the first day of the year. Drinking from a Fuji-san chawan is said to bring lucky dreams resulting in year round fortune. The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original wooden storage box.  It also comes with a stamped turmeric coloured wrapping cloth for protecting the bowl in storage.  *Please note that the wooden box is NOT STAMPED.

Sasaki Shoraku (b.1944) is a third generation Raku-ware potter working out of Shoraku Gama in Kyoto. He succeeded his father Shoraku II in 1962, and has devoted 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.                                                                                                   

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.13.4cm (5.2”) x 16.7cm (6.5”) x 16.7cm (6.5”)

Box:  H.11.5cm (4.5”) x 15cm (5.9”) x 15cm (5.9”)

Chawan:  H.8.1cm (3.1”) x Dia.10.9cm (4.2”)                                                                           

Condition

It’s in very good condition and is a completely unused item.                                               

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.