Import duties* taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. Thank you for your understanding. Bizen ware is the ultimate in simple pottery, as it is produced entirely without the use of glaze (the chemical applied to the surface of unglazed ceramics) or painted decoration. Fired at high temperatures of 1,200 to 1,300 degrees Celsius, the patterns are created solely by the nature of the clay, how the pieces are stacked in the kiln, fluctuations in kiln temperature, and the effects of ash and charcoal during firing. Its appeal lies in the unique, handcrafted flavor—no two pieces ever have the same color or pattern—and it is characterized by how its depth and texture increase with use. Size Approx bottle : H 155mm x W 98mm / 357g - Seinosuke Ohira Cup : H 49mm x W 65mm / 53g - Kazuhiro Mori Ohira Seinosuke (大平誠之助) 1921－1981 He was a Bizen ware artist from Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, who was active during the Showa period. He was born in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture in 1921. He studied under Fujiwara Kei, a Living National Treasure of Bizen ware, and honed his techniques. In 1975, he cleared land at the foot of Mt. Tenjin in Tomonobu, Bizen City, and set up his own kiln, workshop, and exhibition room. In 1978, he established Bizen Ichi Kiln. After Seinosuke's death, his sons, Ohira Issei (Issei) and Ohira Takaaki, among others, carried on his aspirations and techniques. His works are characterized by their work being fired in a climbing kiln, adhering to the tradition of Bizen ware, which does not use glazes. He is known for his atmospheric and powerful style, with blue, yellow, and burnt brown "sesame" (melted ash) and "kiln changes" (changes caused by the way the fire hits the pottery) appearing on the fired surface. He is regarded as one of the "master craftsmen who supported the Bizen pottery world during the Showa era." Kazuhiro Mori (森一洋) A young Bizen artist pursuing his own unique style while inheriting the traditions of Bizen ware, Mori Togaku III was born as the eldest son of the late Mori Togaku III. He studied pottery under his father and, after developing his own unique kiln techniques, has been active in solo and group exhibitions, gaining popularity in particular for his sake cups and other items. His style, characterized by a quiet yet strong sense of purpose, embodies the "art of earth and fire" of Bizen ware. Key Background and Characteristics Origin and Education: Born in 1966 in Ibe, a Bizen ware production area, as the eldest son of Bizen ware artist Mori Togaku III. After graduating from Kyoto College of Art and the Tokyo Glass Art Institute, he began full-time pottery making in 1992. Start of Pottery Making and Independence: He opened his first kiln in 1995 and went independent. His talent was recognized early on, including being selected for the Tanabe Art Museum's "Chanoyu Sculpture Grand Prize." Style: Based on traditional Bizen ware techniques (unglazed, fired), Mori creates contemporary, easy-to-use pieces with a quiet strength and refined sensibility. Activities: He has held numerous solo exhibitions in Okayama, Tokyo, and elsewhere, and has exhibited at the Mori Togaku school's "Gakuenkai Exhibition," demonstrating his wide-ranging activities. About his Works Sake Cups: His sake cups are particularly popular, chosen for their texture of Bizen clay, their powerful firing, and their ease of use, making them ideal for both everyday use and as gifts. "The Art of Earth and Flame": The glaze-free production method unique to Bizen ware allows for the natural "yohen" effect created by the clay reacting with the flame, a charm that is vividly evident in Mori's works. Mori Kazuhiro is one of the artists who will increasingly attract attention in the future, carrying on the tradition and innovation of Bizen ware. Condition* In Good condition. There are pain and stains due to aged deterioration,but no problem with functionality. Please use zoom to inspect all pictures closely for the cosmetic condition. This item is sold as a collectible, decor and not intended for daily use. Shipping* We will send items from yabai artworks Japan. FedEx International Priority DHL WORLD WIDE UPS Worldwide Saver Import duties* taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. Thank you for your understanding. Handling of ceramics （pottery) *Care for pottery (sealing treatment)* Starch will coat the surface and prevent stains from seeping into the pottery. 1. Insert the pottery into a pot filled with starch water (from washing rice or corn or potato starch melted in water) and bring it to a boil on low to medium heat. Let it boil for around 20 minutes on low heat. 2. Let it cool down, then rinse, and allow it to dry naturally. 3. If the crevices are not totally filled after one application, you may try again until they are totally filled. **Prevent Stains, Odors, and Mold** If you soak the product in clean water before use and let it absorb some of the water, this will reduce the amount of impurities able to penetrate the surface. Pottery products are water absorbent, so if they are left in water for a long time, they may absorb impurities, causing stains, odors, and mold. Please wash the product immediately with detergent and dry well. When storing the container, ensure it is kept sufficiently dry. Insufficient drying may cause an odor or mold growth. If the product does become stained or smelly, you can remedy this by dissolving baking soda or kitchen bleach in water and soaking the product in it. ***About crazing*** When pottery and porcelain are fired with glaze, a material containing characteristics similar to glass, it not only adds color and texture to the ceramics, but also prevents water absorption and discoloration. Firing at high temperatures allows the glaze to adhere to the ceramic, but as it naturally cools, cracks may appear on the surface. Cracks may also appear when a vessel is suddenly filled with something hot, and the formation of these cracks is called crazing. Physical objects have the property of expanding when heated and contracting when cooled. Since the ceramic and the glaze have different rates of expansion and contraction, they interfere with each other as the temperature changes, resulting in crazing. Crazing does not mean that the piece is broken or damaged, and there is no impact on its usability, so please do not worry about using it. With continuous use, water and food color will seep through the crazing and give a deeper flavor to the vessel. If you wish to prevent this from happening, you can boil it in water mixed with rice or flour to fill in the cracks before the first usage.