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

This listing is for a Kutani-ware dragon okimono made by Tokuda Yasokichi II.  It is coated in glossy yellow glaze, one of the colours from the traditional Kutani palette consisting of yellow, blue, purple, and green.  The Tokuda family is renowned for their glazes, they were responsible for bringing back to life many of the traditional Ko-Kutani glazes that were lost some generations before.   This particular piece was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Dragon back in 1988. The signature and stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box.  It also comes with a Japanese language profile paper. 

Tokuda Yasokichi II (1907-1997) was a Kutani-ware potter adopted into the famous Tokuda family. At 16 years of age he became interested in pottery and began spending time at the family kiln. In 1926 he became a member of the Ishikawa Prefecture Craft Association, and in 1929 he went to Kyoto to study ceramics. In 1938 he became a student of Living National Treasure Tomimoto Kenkichi. He returned to Ishikawa and in 1951 won the special selection and Asakura Prize at the prestigious Nitten Exhibition. Four years later he became the head of the family kiln and assumed the title of Tokuda Yasokichi II. In 1958 he won the Grand Prix prize at the Brussels International Exposition, and in 1976 he became chief advisor and honorary director of the Ishikawa Prefecture Kutani Ceramics Commerce and Industry Cooperative Federation. Two years later he was appointed as chief advisor of the Komatsu Industrial Association, and in 1982 he became president of the Kutani-ware Technology Preservation Association. He became certified as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset of Ishikawa Prefecture, and a member of Nitten. He also became an advisor for the Japan Ceramic Association, and Director of the Komatsu City Art and Culture Association. In 1988 his son took over the family kiln and assumed the title of Tokuda Yasokichi III.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Japanese okimono figurines are decorative items used for display purposes. Junishi okimono are those commemorating the twelve animals and mythological beasts from the astrological calendar. The Japanese astrological calendar is known as eto, and the twelve creatures are called junishi. The Zodiac’s popularity peaked during the Edo Era, and it was then that junishi okimono production became more widespread. These days, potters and production kilns produce hundreds of junishi each year to welcome the coming New Year. These are often displayed in shops, restaurants, people’s homes, and in tea rooms.

Kutani is the name for porcelain ware made in the town of Kutani, in modern day Ishikawa Prefecture. This type of porcelain ware is known for its vivid colours and distinct designs, which in many cases can cover the entire surface. These designs were influenced by Chinese ceramics, paintings, and textiles. Kutani-ware can be broken into the following types: Ko-Kutani (around 1650-1700), Mokubei style (around 1805-1817), Yoshidaya style (1818-1829), Iidaya Style (1830-1845), Eiraku style (1865-1868), and the Shoza Style (1860-1880). Typical decorating techniques include the Ao-Tsubu pattern with raised blue dots, Saiyu Glazes (red, green, yellow, purple, blue), the Yuri-kinsai technique of using gold leaf and gold powder under transparent glaze, and the ginsai technique of using silver leaf and silver powder under transparent glaze.

Sizes

Box:  H.12.5cm (4.9”) x 16.7cm (6.5”) x 13.5cm (5.3”)

Rabbit:  H.9.2cm (3.6”) x 13.2cm across (5.1”) x 13.4cm (5.2”) from back to front

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks, the wooden box however is a little spotty and discoloured.

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.