*THIS ITEM WEIGHS 2205 GRAMS WITHOUT PACKING, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS LISTING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SHIPPING OPTIONS AND UPGRADES.

This listing is for a Shigaraki-ware mizusashi made around 30 years ago by noted potter, Sugimoto Zuiho. It is wheel thrown using coarse stoneware clay, and the front features an ample amount of vitrified ash. This piece is nice and tall and would also make a splendid display item.  It comes with its original signed wooden storage box, as well as a Japanese language profile paper about Shigaraki-ware.

Sugimoto Zuiho is a veteran yakishime Shigaraki-ware potter, and the son of renowned potter Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b.1935). His work is pure organic beauty - rugged and gritty, scorched to perfection. He primarily produces tea-ware and vases, and he has received several awards at the Japan Arts and Craft Exhibitions. His chawan command high prices and are highly sought after by collectors. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

Shigaraki-ware refers to pottery made in Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is perhaps one of the more well-known types of stoneware with its origins dating back to the Kamakura period. The Shiga region is home to one of the six oldest kilns in Japan, and this is because of its superb clay. It has a reddish-orange colour, along with a natural ash glaze acquired from the deposit of ashes in the kilns. Pieces of quartz, feldspar or silica can often be found on the surface, giving Shigaraki a wonderful gritty texture and rustic charm. Historically potters produced wares specifically for the tea ceremony, however craftsmen gradually shifted to producing items such as vases and sake bottles as well.

A mizusashi is used during the tea ceremony to hold fresh water for cleaning tea utensils such as the bamboo whisk, as well as to replenish the kettle. Mizusashi come in different materials such as wood, ceramics, lacquerware, and metal. Shapes vary to include jar-like, flat, bucket shaped, well-bucket shaped, and those with a single layered mouth. There are also those with small ears on the side, and metal mizusashi sometimes have metal rings attached.

Sizes

Box:  H.25.3cm (9.9”) x 15.9cm (6.2”) x 15.9cm (6.2”)

Mizusashi:  H.21.2cm (8.3”) x Dia.13.3cm (5.2”) diameter base x 12cm (4.7”) diameter rim

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks.  There are minor firing cracks on the lid, however these aren’t considered damage nor do they impact usage. 

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  The aforementioned countries have very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to your country.  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:  SAL Sea Mail (approx. 11-12 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (7-10 days) available for an additional 8000 yen. 

**UK , Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe:  SAL Sea Mail (approx. 8-12 weeks depending on the destination), an upgrade for EMS Express (7-10 days) available for an additional 6600 yen. 

**Asia:  SAL Sea Mail (approx. 6-8 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (5-7 days) available for an additional 3350 yen. 

**Middle East, Central Asia, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico:  EMS Express only (7-15 days).

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.