■ Please Note: I usually ship within 24 hours after payment. However, payments made on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday will be shipped on Monday since the post office is closed on weekends. Tracking updates on Catawiki may take some time to appear. Shipping costs include insurance but not customs duties. Import taxes or customs fees may apply depending on your country, and I cannot influence or adjust them. If you disagree with the customs charges, please contact your local customs office directly. As this item ships from Japan, delivery may take longer than usual. ■ Authenticity & Handcrafted Nature: This tea bowl is signed by the artist Kantake and is accompanied by its original tomobako (signed wooden box). In Japanese ceramic tradition, the tomobako functions as an official authentication, inscribed and sealed by the artist. It confirms authorship, title, and artistic approval. Each stage of production—throwing, trimming, glazing, and firing—was carried out by hand. The glaze movement seen on the surface is not mechanically reproduced but created through deliberate application and the transformative action of high-temperature firing. Subtle variations in flow, pooling, and texture are evidence of genuine kiln work. ■ Estimated Period: Showa period (1970–1985) — a time when Japanese studio potters boldly experimented with expressive glaze techniques, expanding the aesthetic language of traditional tea ceramics for both domestic tea practitioners and international collectors. ■ Description: Kantake is the professional name (art name) of the ceramic artist who created this work. In Japanese pottery culture, artists frequently adopt such names to signify lineage, philosophy, or artistic identity. Works bearing a signed tomobako indicate recognized authorship and completion as an exhibition-grade piece rather than a casual studio product. This work is a chawan (tea bowl), the most revered form in Japanese tea culture. Beyond its utilitarian function, the tea bowl is regarded as a sculptural object embodying aesthetic philosophy. Collectors evaluate balance, rim line, foot construction, glaze expression, and tactile presence. The defining feature of this piece is its “nagashi-yu” (glaze-drip) technique. Nagashi-yu refers to a method in which glaze is intentionally poured or allowed to flow freely over the vessel’s surface before firing. During high-temperature firing, gravity and heat cause the glaze to cascade organically, producing dramatic vertical streams and layered tonal transitions. In this example, the vivid red glaze flows dynamically over a soft ivory ground, creating striking contrast and depth. The glaze thickens and pools in certain areas while thinning at the edges, forming natural gradients and subtle textural shifts. The effect recalls both controlled intention and spontaneous kiln transformation—a balance highly valued in modern Japanese ceramics. The bowl’s gently irregular rim and substantial foot reinforce its presence in the hand, offering both visual drama and practical harmony for tea preparation. It stands equally as a functional tea utensil and as a contemporary ceramic artwork. ■ Expert’s Insight: Glaze-drip techniques demand precise control. Excessive flow can overwhelm form; insufficient movement results in stagnation. In this bowl, Kantake achieves equilibrium: the glaze movement enhances rather than obscures the structure. The vivid red tones, likely copper-based, require careful kiln atmosphere management to achieve such saturation without dulling. For collectors, pieces that combine strong chromatic presence with balanced form are particularly desirable, especially when preserved with original signed tomobako. This work reflects the confidence and artistic experimentation characteristic of late 20th-century Japanese studio ceramics. ■ Antique/Vintage Notice: This piece is vintage. Minor irregularities, glaze variations, and kiln effects are inherent to handcrafted and high-temperature fired ceramics. These are not defects but integral elements of the artistic process. ■ Shipping & Handling: We ship worldwide from Japan using insured and trackable services. All items are professionally packed to ensure safe delivery. Import duties or customs fees are the buyer’s responsibility. Delivery may take time depending on your location. Feel free to reach out with any questions.