【Item Description】 田中鉱治 Tanaka Koji × Mino Ware — Aka Shino Tea Bowl This striking chawan (tea bowl) is a work by Tanaka Koji, a ceramist based in Tsumagi, Toki City — the very heartland of Mino ware. Fired in the revered Aka Shino (Red Shino) style, one of the most celebrated traditions to emerge from the Momoyama period (late 16th century). The bowl's surface glows with a deep, textured terracotta warmth — the characteristic colour of Aka Shino, produced by the iron-rich clay body flushing red-orange through flame. Across the body flows a dramatic cascade of thick, ivory white Shino glaze, crawling and pooling in an irregular, organic band that evokes a rushing stream, a snow-covered mountain ridge, or the spontaneous brushstroke of a Zen calligrapher. This unpredictable interplay between the raw red clay and the feldspathic white glaze is the very soul of Shino aesthetics. Shino ware holds a unique place in Japanese ceramic history: it is considered the first Japanese pottery to use a white glaze, developed by Mino potters in the late 16th century under the cultural influence of the tea master Sen no Rikyū (1522–1591) and his successor Furuta Oribe (1543–1615). Their philosophy of wabi-sabi — finding beauty in imperfection, irregularity, and transience — is fully embodied in this bowl. The rough, pitted surface, the flame-blushed earth tones, and the freely flowing glaze all speak to this deeply Japanese sensibility. The Toki City area, where Tanaka Koji works, has been a centre of ceramic production for over 1,300 years. The region's abundant quality clay and long kiln traditions make it the source of more than 50% of Japan's ceramic output. Mino's Shino tradition was rediscovered in the early 20th century by the legendary ceramist Arakawa Toyozo (1894–1985), a Living National Treasure, who excavated ancient Shino shards in the Okaya area of Kani City and revived the Momoyama-era technique. Tanaka Koji carries this living tradition forward in his own expressive hand. Whether used in the Japanese tea ceremony (chado) or displayed as a sculptural object, this chawan is an authentic encounter with one of Japan's most treasured ceramic traditions. 【Size】 Height: 8.0 cm Width (diameter): 14.0 cm 【Weight】 420 g 【Condition】 In very good condition with no chips or cracks; minor kiln variations in the glaze are inherent to the Shino firing process and are not considered defects. 【Artist Profile】 田中鉱治 Tanaka Koji is a ceramic artist based in Tsumagi, Toki City, Gifu Prefecture — one of the historic centres of Mino ware production. Working primarily in traditional Mino styles including Shino, Oribe, and Kiseto, Tanaka is known for his richly textured, hand-crafted pieces that embody the rustic warmth (shibumi) of the Momoyama ceramic tradition. His works have been exhibited and sold at Michi-no-Eki Shino Oribe, a prestigious venue dedicated to contemporary Mino ceramics in Toki City. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shipping & Important Notice [Shipping] Your item will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan via Japan Post, DHL, or FedEx with a tracking number. Please note that due to the current situation in the Middle East, some international flights and shipping routes are being rerouted. As a result, delivery may take longer than usual (approximately 3 weeks or more). We appreciate your patience as we prioritize the safest and most reliable route for your package. [Customs and Duties] Import duties, taxes, and VAT are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility and vary by country. Please check with your local customs office for details. [Important: Delivery Contact] Customs or the delivery courier in your country may contact you via phone or email for clearance. Please ensure you are available to respond to their inquiries. Note: If a parcel is returned due to a lack of contact, the buyer will be responsible for all additional costs, including return shipping and reshipping fees (which can be significantly higher than the original cost). I truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Bid with confidence!