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

This listing is for a wood-fired Bizen-ware beer cup made around 20 years ago by noted potter, Yoshioka Katsumi.  It is wheel-thrown and the front is coated in a generous layer of natural ash glaze.  The back of the cup has a slightly glossy finish, this glossiness is due to the cup being covered in an iron-rich dark slip before firing.  Bizen-ware is believed to be ideal for serving beer, because the bubbles are smoother. Bizen has lots of small indentations on the interior, which results in a smoother beverage. This cup has a capacity of around 325ml, and the signature of the potter can be found on the bottom.  It comes with a paper storage box as well as a Japanese language profile paper about the potter. 

Yoshioka Katsumi is a Bizen-ware potter and was originally a painter.  He began making pots as a hobby and built his own anagama kiln in 2000.  He fires using traditional techniques and is best known for his hand-shaped sake vessels, eared vases, and tea utensils such as chawan. His yohen pieces are particularly popular amongst Bizen enthusiasts.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

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.

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.15cm (5.9”) x 9.8cm (3.8”) x 9.8cm (3.8”)

Cup:  H.11.5cm (4.5”) x Dia.8.5cm (3.3”)

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.