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

This listing is for a small Bizen-ware tanuki okimono made around 30-40 years ago.  It is wood-fired and the front features a sprinkling of pine fly ash over a high-fired stoneware body.  Traditionally tanuki were portrayed as sleek creatures much like kitsune, however these rotund types can be traced back to the latter part of the Edo Period.                         
Tanuki are generally considered to bring good luck and are characterized as having eight traits. The straw hat protects against trouble, the big eyes are for surveying the environment and making good decisions, the sake bottle symbolizes virtue, the big tail provides stability and strength, the very large testicles symbolize financial luck and big sacks of money, the promissory note signifies trust, the large belly indicates the ability to make good decisions under pressure, and finally they are friendly with a warm smile.

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.                                                                                       

Size

H.9cm (3.5”) x 8.4cm (3.3”) across x 9cm (3.5”) from back to front                                        

Condition

The bottom is a little discoloured and there are faint pencil markings.  Other than that he’s in very good condition.                                                                                                   

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.