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

This listing is for a SMALL pair of Okinawan Shisa okimono made about 10 years ago by Nakagusuku Gama. They are made from a slip mould and decorated with greyish-blue and light amber glaze, typical colours for shisa from Okinawa. This is a male/female pair, and they’re just the right size to pop on a windowsill or small shelf. 

Nakagusuku Gama is a Ryukyu-ware kiln which operates under the name Asahi Pottery Co., Ltd. (Asahitouki).  It was established in 1974 in Naha City and mainly produces tableware, sake sets and ornamental pieces such as shisa.  The current head of operations is potter Yamanoha Satoshi, and production is taken care of by a team of craftspeople who specialise in moulding, firing and glazing pottery pieces.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Shisa are a traditional Ryukyuan decoration, often in pairs, resembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawan mythology. People place pairs of shisa on their rooftops or flanking the gates to their houses. Shisa are believed to protect homes from various types of evils. When in pairs, the left shisa traditionally has a closed mouth, the right one an open mouth. The open mouth wards off evil spirits, and the closed mouth keeps good spirits in.

Ryukyu-ware refers to earthenware and stoneware pottery produced on the Ryukyu Islands.  It first appeared during the Gusuku period (1100s-1400s) and was influenced by utilitarian wares from China.  It may be glazed or unglazed and mainly consists of ornaments like shisa, large pottery jars known as tsubo, tableware and to a lesser extent large urns.  Ryukyu-ware is also known as Nanban-ware, although this is more typically unglazed pieces.  Tsuboya-ware is now the centre of pottery production in Okinawa after kilns in Misato, Shuri and Naha were grouped together under the Ryukyu government in 1682.

Size

Open:  H.9cm (3.5”) x 10.8cm (4.2”) across x 7cm (2.7”) from back to front

Closed:  H.8.3cm (3.2”) x 10.4cm (4”) across x 7.8cm (3”) from back to front

Condition

Both shisa 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, 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.