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

This listing is for a Soma-ware koro incense burner made around 20 years ago by Yoshimine Gama.  It is wheel-thrown and the top half features dark brown sharkskin glaze.  There are four ‘crane feet’ vents in the lid, and the base is supported by three feet on the bottom.  The interior is nice and clean and appears unused, and it comes with its original wooden storage box. 

Yoshimine Gama is a Soma-ware kiln originally located in Namie town in Iwaki city, however after 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami operations were suspended.  At this time the kiln was headed by third generation master Shiga Tadayoshi (b.1950), the eldest son of the second generation master.  Shiga and his son Akiyoshi (b.1977) looked into relocating to Mashiko in neighbouring Tochigi Prefecture, but they were not successful.  Shiga began teaching pottery to visitors at the Oborisoma-ware Cooperative Group, whilst Akiyoshi built a new kiln on the border of Fukushima and Miyagi.  Akiyoshi has assumed the title of fourth generation master and has been steadily rebuilding the family business.  Prior to the earthquake Akiyoshi was selected for Mashiko Ceramics Exhibition from 2004-2007, the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition from 2004-2007, and he received the Grand Prize at the 2007 Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition.  He became the youngest ever artist in Japan to receive the award, and in 2010 he was invited to become a regular member of Japan Crafts Association.   **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Soma-ware refers to pottery produced in Fukushima Prefecture. The first Soma-ware was produced during the Edo period and it quickly grew into over 100 kilns. It is characterized by its galloping horse motif which is known as Hashirigoma in Japanese. Fukushima is known for its long history of using horses for martial arts training, and one of their biggest festivals pays homage to the humble horse. Another feature of Soma-ware is its double wall. Each piece has an inner wall which can be seen through carved areas on the exterior wall. The enables tea to keep warm whilst leaving the outer surface cool enough for handling. The final feature of Soma-ware is its Aohibi crackled glaze. It is often combined with a brown glazed part which provides an interesting contrast.

Sizes

Box:  H.11.5cm (4.5”) x 14.8cm (5.8”) x 14.8cm (5.8”)

Koro:  H.10.8cm (4.2”) x 10.3cm (4”) across x 7.7cm (3”) diameter opening

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks but there are some faint blue and red marks under the lid (minor).

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.