Please be sure to check. Import duties, VAT (Value Added Tax), and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping costs and are the responsibility of the purchaser.Please check your country's import duties before bidding. Please be sure to respond to phone calls and emails from your country's customs or the delivery company regarding customs clearance procedures. If you are unable to contact them, your package will be returned to Japan and reshipment will incur double the shipping costs. Thank you for your cooperation. This is a refined Tenmoku Tea Bowl (Chawan) crafted by the Hiratarō Kiln of Chikuzen Sasada-yaki (Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan), a style that revives traditional Japanese pottery techniques. Tenmoku is a highly revered type of ceramic glaze, originating in China and deeply integrated into the Japanese Chadō (tea ceremony) tradition, often associated with spiritual depth and quiet contemplation (wabi-sabi). The bowl features a classic conical form, ideal for whisking and serving matcha tea. Its most striking feature is the deep, lustrous black glaze which is characteristic of the Tenmoku style. The surface is subtly speckled with fine, silvery or slightly darker crystalline spots, which beautifully catch the light—a sought-after effect similar to the historic Yuteki (Oil Spot) or Yōhen (Iridescent) glazes. The glaze flows elegantly to the bottom, pooling at the mouth of the unglazed, reddish-brown clay foot. This piece comes complete with its original wooden storage box (Tomobako), inscribed with the artwork's details: "茶碗 筑前笹田焼 平太郎" (Tea Bowl, Chikuzen Sasada-yaki, Hiratarō). The Tomobako serves as proof of authenticity and an essential part of the artwork's provenance. Dimensions:approximately Height: 6.4cm Diameter (Width): 12.7cm Condition: Good, but since it is an old item, there may be damage. Pottery products may have traces of glaze that occur during the brewing process, but this is normal.Please refer to the listing photos, but please note that it is difficult to show all the conditions in the photos. We strive to ensure that the photographs faithfully reproduce the colours of the products, however please note that due to lighting conditions, differences in display, shooting conditions, etc., the colours of the actual product may look different from those in the photograph. The Artist's Background (Hiratarō Kiln) The Hiratarō Kiln is part of the contemporary movement dedicated to preserving and refining traditional Japanese kiln techniques, particularly those related to classical glazes. Their work respects the deep history of Tenmoku while demonstrating a modern mastery of the firing and glazing process, making their pieces highly desirable for both collectors of modern Japanese ceramics and practitioners of the tea ceremony. Most items are shipped via DHL or FedEx. Please note that shipments from Japan take several days to arrive, so please use the tracking number provided upon shipment to track your package. Items will be carefully packaged and shipped to prevent damage. We may use recycled packaging to make efficient use of resources. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.