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

This listing is for an Agano-ware chawan made around 50-60 years ago by Shirakawa Kozan X.  It is wheel-thrown and coated in dark brown samehada sharkskin glaze over a slightly gritty red clay base.  The Agano style of sharkskin glazes is no doubt influenced by the shark skin glazed Satsuma-ware pieces from further south in Kyushu.  It comes with its original signed wooden storage box, please check the last photo for the condition of the box.  **PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHASHAKU TEA SCOOP IS NOTINCLUDED.

Shirakawa Kozan is an Agano-ware potter and master of Juji Gama in Fukuoka Prefecture.  Agano-ware was founded in 1592 by a Korean potter named Kin Sonkai, or Takakuni Kizo Agano as he’s known in Japanese.   The Totoki, Watari and Yoshida families followed suit and opened their own kilns nearby, each of these becoming official kilns supported by the local feudal lord.  The Totoki family named their kiln Shirakawa Gama, and kiln masters assumed the title of Shirakawa followed by their generation.  During the Meiji Period Shirakawa Gama suspended operations, however in 1940 it was revived by the 10^th generation and renamed Totoki Gama (and he assumed the title of Shirakawa Hogen X).  Hogen was succeeded by Hoken XI, Hoken was then succeeded by Shirakawa Takuho XII (b.1912), and the kiln is now in its 13^th generation and headed by Totoki Kaiho XIII (b.1947).  Kozan is the younger brother of Kaiho.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Agano-ware refers to pottery produced in Fukuoka Prefecture, with its origins going back some 400 years. This type of ware is characterized by its thin walls and beautiful coloured glazes. There are around 15 different types of glazes, although Agano-ware is probably best known for its green-blue Ryokusho glaze. Kilns in and around the Tagawa district in Fukuoka also produce beautiful iron and white warajiro straw glazes. Agano pottery is a favourite amongst tea enthusiasts and was favoured by tea master Kabori Enshu.

Sizes

Box:  H.10.8cm (4.2”) x 13.9cm (5.4”) x 13.9cm (5.4”)

Chawan:  H.8.3cm (3.2”) x Dia.11.5cm (4.5”)

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks, the box however has some cracks and gaps in the wood.  Also the writing on the lid is a little faded.

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.