*SHIPPING IS CURRENTLY SET FOR SAL SEA MAIL TO MOST DESTINATIONS, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS LISTING FOR FASTER OPTIONS.

This listing is for a set of five Hagi-ware tea plates made by noted potter, Yamato Nobuaki.  They are wheel-thrown and then hand-shaped to resemble leaves.  Each plate is coated in transparent white glaze, and the tips dipped in milky white glaze.  This is a splendid set for serving sweets during tea time.  The stamp of the potter can be found on the back of each plate, and they come with their original signed wooden storage box.  They also come with a Japanese language profile paper about the potter. 

Yamato Nobuaki (1956-2015) was a Hagi-ware potter and grandson of Yamato Harunobu, the 2^nd generation master of Shoroku Gama.  Shoroku Gama was established in 1892 by Yamato Sakutaro (1855-1921). Sakutaro had a large family of seven sons and two daughters. His eldest son Shoichi, second son Harunobu, and younger son Yoshitaka joined the family business and became potters. After Sakutaro passed away all three inherited Shoroku Gama. Nobuaki was among the 5^th generation.  He graduated from the Kyoto Saga University of Arts and returned to Hagi to work at the family kiln.  In 2002 his work was selected for the 25^th Exhibition of New Works of Traditional Art and Crafts, and in 2004 he received the Shimonoseki Daimaru Prize at the 27^th Yamaguchi Traditional Art and Crafts Exhibition.  In 2009 he received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 32^nd Yamaguchi Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, and in 2011 he received the Yamaguchi Broadcasting Station Award from Japan Broadcasting Corporation at the 34^th Yamaguchi Traditional Art and Crafts Exhibition.  One year later he received the Sogo Hiroshima Store Award at the 35^th Yamaguchi Traditional Art and Crafts Exhibition.   He was a full-time member of the Japan Art and Crafts Association and had a promising career ahead of him, sadly he passed away in 2015. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Hagi-ware is a type of high-fired stoneware produced in Yamaguchi Prefecture. It is characterized by its rough clay, bumpy pitted surface, and generous coating of translucent white glaze. It is generally made of very porous clay which results in tiny crackles that absorb tea, so it’s important to soak Hagi-ware thoroughly before use. In time the tea deposits will seep into the glaze, creating a deeper tone. This is often considered a charming characteristic rather than a shortcoming, and it’s precisely the reason why Hagi-ware is so highly regarded in the world of Chado.

Sizes

Box:  H.17.7cm (6.9”) x 29.6cm (11.6”) x 17.1cm (6.7”)

Plates:  H.2.9cm (1.1”) x L.13.2cm (5.1”) x W.12.8cm (5”)

Condition

The entire set is 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.  The aforementioned countries have very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to your country.  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:  SAL Sea Mail (approx. 11-12 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (7-10 days) available for an additional 6800 yen. 

**UK , Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe:  SAL Sea Mail (approx. 8-12 weeks depending on the destination), an upgrade for EMS Express (7-10 days) available for an additional 5550 yen. 

**Asia:  SAL Sea Mail (approx. 6-8 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (5-7 days) available for an additional 2750 yen. 

**Middle East, Central Asia, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico:  EMS Express only (7-15 days).

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.