【Important notes】 ・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities. ・Shipping Details: Most items are shipped via Japan Post EMS (airmail). If you are in a hurry, we can arrange shipping via DHL or FedEx upon request for an additional fee. ・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support. 【Product details】 This substantial Bizen ware rectangular serving plate was created around Heisei 6 (1994) by Shibaoka Koichi (born 1941), an established Bizen ceramic artist from Imbe, Okayama Prefecture. The work is accompanied by its original signed wooden box, original cloth with seal, and the artist’s biography leaflet. Bizen ware is one of Japan’s oldest ceramic traditions, celebrated for its unglazed surfaces, natural earthy textures, and subtle colour variations created entirely through the firing process rather than applied decoration. Its rustic beauty and quiet elegance have long been admired by tea masters, scholars, and collectors of Japanese ceramics. This impressive large-scale work weighs approximately 3.5 kg, giving it remarkable presence and solidity. The surface displays striking hidasuki markings created by wrapping straw around the vessel during firing. The interaction between the iron-rich clay and the alkali from the straw produces vivid reddish linear patterns that spread dynamically across the surface like abstract brushwork on a canvas. The natural firing effects, rich textures, and softly distorted form exemplify the expressive character of high-quality Bizen ware. Its generous size and powerful appearance make it suitable both as a decorative display piece and as an elegant serving plate for cuisine presentation. Shibaoka Koichi was born in Imbe, Bizen City, in 1941. After completing the first term of the Okayama Prefectural Ceramic Centre in 1967, he studied under the guidance of Isezaki Mitsuru and Isezaki Jun, the latter recognised as a Living National Treasure. He first exhibited at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1971 and later became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. His career includes numerous solo exhibitions at prominent department stores throughout Japan, as well as awards including the Minister of International Trade and Industry Encouragement Award and the Okayama Nichinichi Newspaper Cultural Award. The underside bears the artist’s mark. The wooden box is hand-inscribed, signed, and sealed by the artist, and the original cloth with seal is also included. Very good vintage condition with minimal wear. Please refer to the photos for details. Dimensions: approx. H 5.5 cm W 29 cm D 29.5 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!