The man who dug up the kilns that everyone else had forgotten — and brought Karatsu back from the edge of history. This bowl is signed by Nakazato Tarouemon XII, designated a Living National Treasure of Japan. Product Details This chawan is painted in the e-garatsu tradition, with iron-brown brushwork depicting bamboo — stem, nodes, and leaves swept across a soft grey-white glaze. The composition is spare: a single stalk rising from the lower body, leaves extending outward in two or three quick strokes. Nothing wasted, nothing reconsidered. The glaze is pale and slightly luminous, with fine crazing across the surface and iron specks scattered through. The rim carries the characteristic iron-brown edge of Karatsu ware. The interior is open and smooth. The foot is left unglazed, exposing the warm Karatsu clay, with the three-dot family seal pressed in. This piece is accompanied by its original tomobako inscribed Karatsu Chawan, with the signature and red seal of Nakazato Tarouemon XII, and a tomogire — the original fabric wrapping cloth stored with the piece since it left the artist's hands. Artist Profile Nakazato Tarouemon XII (1895–1985) Personal name: Shigeo. Dharma name: Muan. Born in 1895 in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, as the second son of the eleventh-generation Nakazato Tarouemon. Completed the specialist course at the Saga Prefectural Arita Industrial School in 1914, and succeeded to the title of Nakazato Tarouemon XII in 1927. From 1929, he began systematic excavation of ancient Karatsu kiln sites across Saga and Nagasaki prefectures — fieldwork that would continue for decades and establish the scholarly foundation for the entire modern Karatsu revival. What he found in those ruins — fragments of e-garatsu, kohiki, chosen-karatsu, and madara-karatsu — he brought back to life in his own hands, technique by technique. Key distinctions and career milestones: — Designated a Technique Preservation Artist by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, 1941. — Selected as an Intangible Cultural Property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, 1955. — Works acquired by the Agency for Cultural Affairs from the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, 1959 and 1967. — Works designated as Government Collection, displayed at the National Museum of Modern Art, 1959. — Crafted a tataki ao-karatsu vase presented to the Emperor and Empress during their visit to Saga Prefecture, 1961. — Received the Order of the Purple Ribbon, 1966. — Received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, 1969. — Received the doctorate in ceramics from Daitoku-ji, Kyoto; given the dharma name Muan by the 512th abbot, 1969. — Designated a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for Karatsu ware by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, 1976 — the first and only ceramicist in the Karatsu tradition to receive this national honour. — Works displayed at the Osaka World Exposition reception hall, 1970. — Exhibited internationally in the Soviet Union, Germany, Denmark, South Korea, Mexico, and across Europe. He passed away in 1985 at the age of ninety. The kiln he revived continues under the fourteenth generation today. Condition & Specifications Condition: Excellent for age. No chips, cracks, or restoration. While this is a vintage piece, it shows no visible signs of use and retains its original appearance in outstanding condition. Height: 5.9 cm Diameter: 12.0 cm Weight: 219 g (with tomobako: 549 g) Material: Stoneware (Karatsu ware) Region of Origin: Saga Prefecture, Japan Seal: Three-dot family crest seal pressed into the kodai Accompanied by: Tomobako (artist-signed wooden box) inscribed Karatsu Chawan, and Tomogire (original fabric wrapping cloth) About Karatsu Ware and Key Terms What is Karatsu ware? Karatsu ware is one of Japan's oldest and most respected ceramic traditions, produced in and around Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture, northern Kyushu. It originated around 400 years ago with Korean potters who settled along the coastline, and became the preferred tea ware of Japanese tea masters during the Edo period for its restrained, earthy character. E-karatsu E-karatsu, or painted Karatsu, refers to pieces decorated with iron-oxide brushwork applied beneath a feldspathic glaze before firing. The designs — grasses, bamboo, birds, geometric forms — are drawn directly onto the unfired clay, making each mark permanent and irreversible from the moment the brush lifts. Kan-nyu Kan-nyu refers to the fine crazing — a network of tiny crack lines — that develops across a glazed surface when the glaze and clay body cool at slightly different rates after firing. In Japanese tea aesthetics, kan-nyu is considered a mark of age and character rather than a flaw. Kodai The kodai is the foot ring on the base of a ceramic vessel. In Japanese tea ware, the kodai is closely examined by collectors and practitioners — its shape, texture, and finish are considered an expression of the potter's skill and intention. Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs designates masters of traditional techniques as holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property — known internationally as Living National Treasures. Nakazato Tarouemon XII received this designation in 1976 for Karatsu ware, becoming the first and only ceramicist in the Karatsu tradition to hold this honour at the national level. Tomobako A tomobako is the original wooden storage box made and signed by the artist themselves. It serves as the primary document of authenticity for Japanese ceramics and significantly increases a piece's provenance value. Tomogire A tomogire is the original fabric wrapping cloth stored with a ceramic piece. Traditionally made from high-quality silk or cotton, it was chosen by the artist or workshop to complement the work, and its presence alongside the tomobako strengthens the provenance of the piece. Shipping Information This item is shipped via Japan Post EMS as our standard shipping method. Depending on the destination and logistics situation, we may use DHL or FedEx for the fastest and safest delivery. All items include a tracking number and insurance. Each item is carefully wrapped in protective cushioning materials to ensure safe international transit. Delivery Lead Time Normally takes approximately one week. Please note that delivery times may vary depending on the country, region, and customs procedures. Duties and Taxes Please note that import duties, taxes, and VAT are not included in the product price or shipping cost. These fees are typically levied in the destination country and are the responsibility of the purchaser. Thank you for your understanding. Damage / Loss In the unlikely event that your item is damaged or lost during shipping, please retain all packaging materials and contact us immediately with photos of the product and box to file an insurance claim. Returns As all items are unique antiques or artworks, we do not accept returns unless the item received significantly differs from the description. In such cases, please contact us within 7 days of receipt. Product Descriptions & Images Every item is personally selected and described with meticulous attention to detail. We strive to represent each piece as accurately as possible through photographs and written descriptions. Please note that colors and textures may appear slightly different depending on your screen settings and lighting conditions. If you have any questions about a specific item, please feel free to contact us before placing a bid. About Our Shop Based in Tobe Town, Ehime Prefecture — the 250-year-old birthplace of Tobe ware — our shop was founded with a singular purpose: to bring the profound art of Japanese ceramics to collectors around the world. From masterpieces crafted by renowned artisans to one-of-a-kind expressions created in hidden workshops, we deliver carefully selected pieces that emphasize the quality and dignity of the work itself, rather than fame. From Tobe Town, a historic folk art town, we bring the true beauty of Japanese ceramics and its handed-down spirit straight to your home.