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

This listing is for a Kutani-ware futaoki made around 20-30 years ago by Shimodo Ryohei.  A futaoki functions as a lid rest during the tea ceremony. The lid of the kama is placed on the futaoki when hot water needs to be drawn from the kettle. The bamboo water ladle rests there up until the lid of the kama is removed. The futaoki featured in this listing is wheel-thrown and decorated with a hawk and a matsu pine tree. Hawks are an auspicious symbol connected to New Year. If your first dream in January features Mt. Fuji, a hawk, and an eggplant, you will be blessed with good luck throughout the year. Tableware and teaware featuring these motifs is popular in the hope that it will inspire a lucky first dream.  The signature of the potter can be found on the interior, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box.  It also comes with a Japanese language profile paper about the potter.

Shimodo Ryohei is a Kutani-ware potter and current master of Bansho Gama.  He primarily produces blue and white porcelain pieces and makes both teaware and tableware.  He is certified as a highly skilled craftsperson of Kutani-ware, and he is also a ceramics vocational training instructor.  He exhibits at exhibitions on a national level and has received awards at the Ishikawa Prefecture Contemporary Art Exhibition, the 1^st Traditional Kutani-ware Crafts Exhibition, as well as the Touko Association Exhibition.  His work was also selected for the Asian Art Exhibition on more than one occasion.  Shimodo is a member of the Komatsu Artists Association, as well as the Touko Association.  He is best known for his beautiful seasonal depictions of flowers, landscapes and birds.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Kutani refers to porcelain ware made in the town of Kutani, in modern day Ishikawa Prefecture. This type of porcelain ware is known for its vivid colours and distinct designs, which in many cases can cover the entire surface. These designs were influenced by Chinese ceramics, paintings, and textiles. Kutani-ware can be broken into the following types: Ko-Kutani (around 1650-1700), Mokubei style (around 1805-1817), Yoshidaya style (1818-1829), Iidaya Style (1830-1845), Eiraku style (1865-1868), and the Shoza Style (1860-1880). Typical decorating techniques include the Ao-Tsubu pattern with raised blue dots, Saiyu Glazes (red, green, yellow, purple, blue), the Yuri-kinsai technique of using gold leaf and gold powder under transparent glaze, and the ginsai technique of using silver leaf and silver powder under transparent glaze.                                                 

Sizes

Box:  H.7.6cm (2.9”) x 7.2cm (2.8”) x 7.2cm (2.8”)

Futaoki:  H.4.9cm (1.9”) x Dia.5.5cm (2.1”)                                                                              

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: 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.