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

This listing is for a white raku chawan made around 30 years ago by Waraku Kawasaki VII. It is hand-turned and the front is decorated with an image of Mt. Fuji.  Mt. Fuji has long inspired artists and poets, its solitary presence well documented in scrolls, woodblock prints, and literature since the 11th century.  It is a popular motif during New Year due to its sacred and artistic landscape. In Japanese culture there is a belief in ‘hatsuyume’, which is the first dream of the New Year. According to an old Japanese proverb it is extremely good luck to dream about Mt. Fuji, hawks, and eggplants on the first day of the year. Drinking from a Fuji-san chawan is said to bring lucky dreams resulting in year round fortune.  Also this piece has a gently undulating rim.  The peaks on the rim symbolise the five main Zen temples in Kyoto, historically Zen Buddhism contributed to the creation of the Japanese tea ceremony.  The 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 stamped yellow wrapping cloth for when the item is not in use, as well as two Japanese language profile papers.  

Waraku Kawasaki VII (b.1936, now known as Kizou) is a Raku-ware potter and the seventh generation master of the Waraku kiln lineage.  Waraku was born in Kyoto and is the eldest son of the 6^th generation.  In 1954 he graduated from Hiyoshigaoka Ceramics High School and began studying at the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics Training Institute's moulding and glazing department.  He graduated two years later and began studying under his father.  In 1970 he was appointed as the 7^th generation master by Marshal-Admiral the Marquis Togo Heihachiro.  Togo Heihachiro was an admiral of the fleet in the Imperial Japanese Navy and is considered to be one of Japan's greatest naval heroes.  In 1975 he was given the seal ‘Shin Waraku’ by the former head priest of Daitokuji Temple Hotani Komei (1913-1995).  In 1996 he held a 60^th birthday exhibition at Daimaru in Kyoto, and 1998 marked the 180 year anniversary of the Waraku family tradition. The Waraku family kiln has been producing beautiful Raku pieces since the latter part of the Edo period, and their tea wares are reputed to be some of the best on the market.  Waraku bowls are unique because they are wheel-thrown as opposed to hand-turned. Their organic appearance comes from the process of cutting and pinching.  The kiln is now in its eighth generation and headed by Kizou’s son Waraku Kawasaki VIII (Motoo). **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

Raku ware refers to low-fired ceramic ware first made in Kyoto by the Raku Family, its origins going as far back as the 16th century. It is traditionally characterised by being hand shaped rather than thrown. Raku is typically delicate, lightweight, and earthy to the touch. Aka (red) raku bowls are fired at 800 degrees, whilst the kuro (black) bowls can be fired up to 1200 degrees. The glaze for black bowls is made from crushed black stones retrieved from the Kamogawa River in Kyoto. Red bowls are coloured by adding translucent glaze over a pinkish clay body. When using raku bowls you should always wipe well with a warm cloth before use. It is possible to cause small cracks if you suddenly add boiling water.

Sizes

Box:  H.12.6cm (4.9”) x 14.7cm (5.7”) x 14.7cm (5.7”)

Chawan:  H.8cm (3.1”) x Dia.11.3cm (4.4”)

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks.

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.