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

This listing is for a set of five Koransha tea cups made around 10 years ago. They are made of porcelain and decorated with various seasonal plants and flowers:  matsu pine, ume blossoms, cherry blossoms, kaede maple and bamboo.  The foot and rim of each cup is trimmed with gold enamel, and this set is intended for serving sencha. The Koransha mark can be found on the bottom of each cup, sorry no box for these.

Koransha was founded in 1875 by Fukagawa Ezaiemon. He became head of his family's porcelain business and after an economic slump decided to concentrate on exports to the European and American markets. He named his company "Koransha," which means "The Company of the Scented Orchid." Koransha comes in a wide variety of designs and colours, and is a combination of traditional Japanese designs with Western style elements. There is no finer Arita-ware than Fukagawa porcelain, so you can be assured that your purchase is of the highest quality.

Arita-ware refers to porcelain produced in the town of Arita in the southern island of Kyushu. In 1616 a Korean potter named Ri Sanpei discovered kaolin at Mt. Izumiyama, thus resulting in the birth of Japanese porcelain. Arita-ware is sometimes referred to as Imari-ware, and this is because export wares were shipped from the nearby port in Imari town. Edo period Arita-ware is generally classified into three groups; Ko-Imari (Early Imari), Kinrande (gold painted porcelain), and Kakiemon (elegant motifs of birds, animals and flowers). Another special, high quality porcelain known as Nabeshima (featuring woven/textile patterns) was also produced and given as gifts to the Imperial court and ruling class. To this day Arita remains at the centre of porcelain production in Japan.

Size

H.5.2cm (2”) x Dia.9.1cm (3.5”)

Condition

The entire set is 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: 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.