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

This listing is for a vintage raku chawan made around 30-40 years ago by Yoshimura Rakunyu III.  It is low-fired and has a flat ‘hira’ shape. Hira chawan are ideally used during the warmer months because they are shallow and allow the tea to cool faster.  This piece is decorated with a gold enamel koi leaping out of the water.  The surface decoration includes incised lines, and the upper part is a very pale blue colour.  The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box. *PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BAMBOO TEA SCOOP IS NOT INCLUDED.

Yoshimura Rakunyu III (b.1954) is the eldest son of second-generation master of the Rakunyu family kiln located in the Higashiyama district in Kyoto. He studied at the Kyoto Prefecture Ceramic Training School, and then studied under his father Yoshimura Rakunyu II (1912—1991). In 1986 he participated in a group exhibition in Kyoto, and in 1989 he established Rakunyu Gama. In 1993 he participated in a Kiyomizu-ware Exhibition in Paris, and in 2001 he was certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Kyoto Prefecture. In 2004 he held several solo exhibitions nationwide at Daimaru Department store, and in 2006 he held a solo exhibition at Fukuoka in Kyushu. In 2011 was certified as a Kyoto city Traditional Craftsperson. **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.9.8cm (3.8”) x 16cm (6.2”) x 16cm (6.2”)

Chawan:  H.6cm (2.3”) x Dia.13cm (5.1”)

Condition

It’s lightly seasoned on the interior, and there are some marks on the box.  At first I thought that the gold enamel on the fish was worn, but actually I think the gold is deliberately placed and intended to look like patches of colour like koi have.

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.