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

This listing is for a Kyo-ware hira chawan made around 20-30 years ago by Suide Soken.  It is wheel-thrown and the flat hira type used during the summer season.  Hira chawan are shallow bowls with low sides designed to cool tea down faster.  The bowl in this listing is decorated with a hand-painted and colourful ‘tanabata’ pattern. Tanabata is the annual star festival held on either July or August 7th depending on the region. During this festival people write wishes on colourful strips of paper and hang them from bamboo branches. If the skies are clear and it doesn’t rain that night it is said that the wishes will come true. The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original paper storage box. 

Suide Soken (b.1948) is a Kyo-ware potter and current master of Anshu Gama.  In 1969 he began studying under his uncle, noted potter Kato Eiho II.  In 1972 he completed training at the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Training Institute, and in 1977 he opened his kiln in the Yamashina district in Kyoto.  In 1979 he held a collaborative exhibition with Buddhist monk Kosho Shimizu (1911-1999) of Todaiji Temple, and in 1980 he built a noborigama climbing kiln in Hanase, Kyoto.  He is best known for his beautifully painted Ninsei inspired pieces.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Kyo-ware originated in the 17th century in Kyoto and features overglaze enamel pigments on a porcelain base. The porcelain base acts as white canvas, allowing for beautiful and superior quality designs to be painted. Kyo-ware artisans traditionally produced chawan and utensils for the tea ceremony, however contemporary potters specialize in tableware, tea ceremony items, incense holders, and okimono. Kyo-ware was designated as a traditional craft in 1977.                                                                        

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.7cm (2.7”) x 16.6cm (6.5”) x 16.6cm (6.5”)

Chawan:  H.4.6cm (1.8”) x Dia.14.4cm (5.6”)                                                                           

Condition

It’s in very good condition aside from a very lightly seasoned interior, and there’s some tea residue near the foot ring.                                                                                                

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:  Airmail (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for Airmail or EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports).  Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet option unavailable.

**UK and Canada:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet and regular Airmail is currently unavailable.

**Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.