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

This listing is for a pair of Mashiko-ware yunomi made around 30 years ago by Living National Treasure, Shimaoka Tatsuzo. They are wheel-thrown and decorated with Shimaoka’s signature Jomon zogan technique. Jomon zogan refers to the technique of applying white slip over rope impressions on the surface of wet clay. Shimaoka mostly used braids for rolling, as his father was a silk braider. The cups are also decorated with iron oxide brushwork, and they’re what we call meoto style, meaning they are two different sizes and intended for a husband and wife. Shimaoka’s mark can be found on the bottom of each cup, and they come with their original signed wooden storage box.   They also come with a Japanese language profile paper about the potter.

Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1919-2007) was a Mashiko-ware potter who studied under the great Hamada Shoji. In 1950 he began working at the Tochigi Prefecture Ceramic Research Centre, and it was here that he began experimenting with the rope inlay technique. This technique was primarily inspired by the rope impressions found on Jomon pottery, as well as the Korean technique of applying slip to indentations on greenware. He went on to build several kilns in the Mashiko area, and took on many pupils. Oka Gama is one such kiln. In 1996 Shimaoka was designated as a Living National Treasure, and in 1999 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun.

Mashiko-ware is pottery produced in the area around Mashiko in Tochigi prefecture. It began in the mid-1800s after good quality clay was found in the local. There was a large demand for everyday cooking vessels in Tokyo so the number of workshops in Mashiko expanded and many craftsmen took up the trade. In the early 1900s Shoji Hamada took Mashiko-ware to a whole new level when he began promoting the folk art movement. Mashiko-ware is probably best known for its brown glazes along with splashes of red, black, green or white.                                                                                                             

Sizes

Box:  H.13.8cm (5.4”) x 22.2cm (8.7”) x 12cm (4.7”)

Larger Cup:  H.8.9cm (3.5”) x Dia.9cm (3.5”)

Smaller Cup:  H.7.6cm (2.9”) x Dia.8.1cm (3.1”)                                                                      

Condition

Both cups are 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:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days). 

**UK and Canada:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days). 

**Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days). 

**Asia:  EMS Express (approx. 7 days). 

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.