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

This listing is for a pair of wood fired Bizen-ware soup mugs made by Takeuchi Yasuyuki.  They are wheel-thrown and there’s a light sprinkling of pine fly ash on the front of each mug.  Each mug has a capacity of 200ml which is a little on the small side for western standards.  They are suitable for daily use and are signed just below the handle.  Please check the measurements carefully before ordering.

Takeuchi Yasuyuki (b.1951) was born in Okayama Prefecture and graduated from the Osaka University of Arts Craft and Design (Ceramics Department) in 1970. In 1975 he began studying at the Bizen Pottery Centre, and then began an apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Yamamoto Toshu and his son Yamamoto Yuichi. In 1982 he became independent and built his own noborigama climbing kiln. He has won several prefectural awards, his most notable being the Okayama Art Exhibition Encouragement Award. He has held solo exhibitions at Mitsukoshi Department Store in Kurashiki and Ginza, as well as Hanshin Department Store. He is best known for his chamfered tableware.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Bizen-ware is generally known for its iron-like hardness, simple unglazed texture, and distinctive markings resulting from wood-burning kiln firing. Because of the clay composition, Bizen pottery is fired slowly over a long period of time. Firings take place only once or twice a year. They require the wood fire to be kept burning for 10-14 days, which involves long hours and tonnes of wood. Bizen clay is dug up from rice fields and this iron rich clay is what gives most Bizen-ware its dark colours, though, a few potters prefer to use lighter mountain clay.

Sizes

H.6cm (2.3”) x Dia.9.5cm (3.7”) and H.6.1cm (2.4”) x Dia.9.6cm (3.7”)

Condition

Both mugs are unused and still have residue from the wood firing near the handle.

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.