Shimizu Yasutaka (b. 1947) — Unused Ice-Crackle Glazed Sake Cup, Modern Kyo Ware For Sale

, Authentic Japanese Ceramics, Japanese tea bowl, Artist handmade, high-end pottery

《U.S. Shipping — Duties Included》

For U.S. orders, import duties, tariffs, and related import charges are included in the shipping charge shown. These costs are prepaid by us, and the shipment is sent on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) basis. Modern Japanese Ceramics, Intangible Cultural Property Holder⸻ Ice-Crackle Glazed Sake Cup (Sakazuki: Japanese Goblet) by Shimizu Yasutaka

Shimizu Yasutaka (b. 1947) is a master of contemporary Kyo ware ceramics who is a designated Holder of Kyoto Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property and the son of Shimizu Uichi, a Living National Treasure. Inheriting the elegant lineage of the traditional Chinese-style ceramics group within Kyo Ware, A piece has been elevated into contemporary ceramic art through highly difficult glaze formulation techniques.

The highlight of this work lies in the beautiful glaze expression applied to the interior. Inside the well, a mystical “ice-crackle glaze” spreads out, appearing as if multiple layers of thick winter ice or crystals have overlapped. The translucent, crackle patterns beautifully reflect light, It exudes an air of natural stone.

Sake cup is not only excellent for appreciation but also embodies the beauty of utility (yō-no-bi) that enriches the time spent enjoying sake. It is an highclass contemporary sake cup that can be confidently recommended to those who love Japanese master artist pottery.

Artist: Shimizu Yasutaka (b. 1947) / 清水保孝
⸻ Kiln / Tradition: Kyo Ware
Object: Ice-Crackle Glazed Sake Cup
⸻ Year of Production: 1980
Dimensions: 1.42in(H) × 2.91in(W) / 3.6cm(H) × 7.4cm(W)
Condition: Unused or Excellent Condition
Included Items: Only Artist leaflet🔍 Artist Information

・Shimizu Yasutaka (b. 1947)

Born in 1947 in Gojozaka, Kyoto—the historic heart of Kyoto ceramics—Yasutaka Shimizu is a master contemporary potter. While inheriting the profound techniques of his father, Shimizu Uichi (a designated Living National Treasure for his "Iron-Glazed Ceramics"), his own aesthetic path. In 2011, his mastery was officially recognized when he was designated a Holder of Kyoto Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property for "Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki."

Shimizu’s artistry represents a harmonious blend of a refined modern sensibility and traditional techniques rooted in "harnessing the vitality of natural materials." A defining characteristic of his work is achieved during the wheel-throwing process: as he shapes the rim of a vessel, he slows the pottery wheel to an absolute minimum while subtly vibrating his fingertips. This masterful touch creates rokuro-me—gentle, wave-like ridges on the surface that evoke the organic elegance of a natural breeze.

・Chronology

1970 — Graduated from Ryukoku University, Faculty of Letters, Department of History.

1971 — Began his formal apprenticeship under his father, Shimizu Uichi, dedicating himself fully to the art of pottery.

1972 — His "Iron-Glazed Bowl" was selected for the 19th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, marking his official debut.

1983 — Held his first solo exhibition at Takashimaya in Osaka. his career-long practice of presenting solo exhibitions at Japan’s premier department store galleries, including Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, and Daimaru.

1990 — Relocated his studio to the "Horai Kiln," established by his father at the foot of Mount Horai in Shiga Prefecture. Immersed in this rich natural environment, he further advanced his research into original glazes and perfected his signature Kiyu-mon (playful turtle) motifs.

2011 — Designated a Holder of Kyoto Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property for "Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki."

・Selected Public Collections

Asian Art Museum, Berlin (Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Germany) — Incense Box

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens (Florida, USA) — Oil Spot Tenmoku Matcha Bowl

Embassy of France in Japan — Large Jar with Playful Turtle Motif in Multi-Glaze Pouring (Iron Painting)

National Crafts Museum (Kanazawa / formerly Crafts Gallery of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo)

Kyoto Prefectural Government Collection — Large Bowl with Turtle Motif in Blue and Silver Glazes (Acquired in 1994), among others.

🗒️Care Note

Not microwave safe or dishwasher safe. Hand wash only. Please allow the piece to dry thoroughly after use.

Please avoid using this piece for milk or strongly scented beverages. Because it is highly absorbent, it may retain odors or develop mold if not dried thoroughly.

🚚 Shipping

We usually ship by SpeedPAK – Ship via FedEx (FICP). All items are packed carefully to withstand international transportation. Tracking information will be provided after shipment.

⸻ Depending on the destination, item value, parcel size, customs requirements, service availability, or other shipping conditions, we may use Yamato Transport International TA-Q-BIN with tracking.
⸻ Customs-clearance procedures and customs inspections are outside our control and may affect the estimated delivery date.
If you purchase multiple items, please put them in your cart and click 'Request total' before paying. I will send you a combined invoice with the correct shipping and import duties, import charges(only for U.S.).

🖐️ Handmade and Firing Characteristics

The items offered by our gallery are all made in Japan. We specialize primarily in top-quality works by distinguished ceramic artists, master potters, and historically significant kilns.

Japanese ceramics have developed over a long history, with each production region cultivating its own materials, techniques, glazes, forms, and aesthetic traditions. As a result, works may vary greatly in appearance and character according to their place of origin, period, kiln, and individual maker.

⸻ Each work is individually made and fired, and even works of the same form or series may differ in glaze, color, texture, and firing effects. Clay, minerals, ash, flame, kiln atmosphere, and placement within the kiln all influence the final appearance of a work.

⸻ Variations in shape, dimensions, glaze, color, surface texture, thickness, weight, symmetry, and firing appearance are natural characteristics of handmade work rather than damage. Depending on the work, crazing, pinholes, iron spots, glaze pooling, glaze runs, natural ash deposits, kiln marks, shell marks, slight warping, asymmetry, surface irregularities, and other firing effects may be intentional or naturally occurring characteristics.
These individual variations and firing effects are often essential elements of the work’s artistic character and should not be regarded as manufacturing defects.

We distinguish inherent handmade and firing characteristics from later damage, wear, repairs, and restoration. Any condition issues identified during inspection are described separately in the individual listing.

🖼️ Photographs and Information About the Work

The photographs are taken to reproduce the item’s actual color and texture as accurately as possible.

⸻ However, the appearance of the glaze, color, texture, surface reflection, and other details may vary slightly depending on the lighting conditions, photographic equipment, screen settings, and viewing environment. When the item is otherwise consistent with the photographs and description, subtle differences in perceived color, glaze tone, or texture do not constitute a discrepancy between the item and the listing description.

We are a specialist gallery operated by a researcher. Attributions are presented in good faith based on research, direct examination of the work, and connoisseurship.
We handle only genuine works and do not present forgeries, amateur-made pieces, or low-quality inexpensive items.

⸻ Please be cautious of dropshipping sellers and sellers offering counterfeit works. One possible warning sign is a listing in which the background, lighting, image quality, and photographic style differ completely from one item to another, as this may indicate that the seller does not physically possess or directly examine the objects being offered.

🛡️ Food-Contact Safety and Recommended Use

We handle the suitability of ceramics for food contact with care and integrity.

We assess each item’s suitability for food use based on specialist knowledge of its age, place of production, glaze composition and type, firing tradition, and relevant reference materials. Where appropriate, we also conduct testing on selected items.

Please review the description of each item carefully.

⸻ If a glaze is known to contain lead or other potentially harmful substances, or if the item’s age, origin, glaze, or condition indicates a significant possibility that such substances may be present or may leach into food or beverages, the listing will be marked “Not Recommended for Food Use” or “Decorative Use Only.”

⸻ Our assessment does not constitute certification of food-contact safety by a testing laboratory or an absolute guarantee of safety.

⸻ Many antique and vintage sellers do not provide sufficient information regarding the food-contact safety of the ceramics they offer. When purchasing ceramics for use with food or beverages, we recommend buying from a specialist seller with expert knowledge of historical materials, glazes, production regions, and firing methods, and who clearly states the recommended use of each item.

⸻ Examples that may require particular caution include certain antique or vintage Kutani ware, Kyo ware, and polychrome overglaze-decorated Ko-Imari ware; older Raku ware with low-fired glazes; and certain folk or regional potteries made with lead-based low-fired glazes, including some Fujina ware, Awaji ware, etc.

This does not mean that all works belonging to these ceramic traditions are unsuitable for food use. Suitability must be assessed individually according to the item’s age, glaze and decorative materials, firing method, condition, and, where necessary, test results.

🇺🇸 Import Duties and Taxes for U.S. Orders

For orders shipped to the United States, import duties, customs-clearance fees, and other customs-related charges prepaid by us at the time of shipment are included in the shipping and handling charge shown at checkout. These shipments are sent on a DDP basis, meaning Delivered Duty Paid. Therefore, no additional payment for import duties or customs-related charges should normally be required upon delivery.

⸻ Any U.S. sales tax collected by is handled separately by and is not included in our shipping and handling charge.
⸻ If a carrier asks you to pay import duties or customs-related charges upon delivery, please inform the carrier that the duties have already been prepaid or arranged for sender billing. Where possible, please contact us before making payment. If you pay a duplicate import charge, please contact us through and provide the carrier’s receipt or payment record. We will review the charge and arrange reimbursement where a duplicate charge is confirmed and reimbursement is applicable.
⸻ For returns caused by a change of mind or other buyer-side circumstances, the original shipping charge, import duties, and customs-related charges are non-refundable.

HTS Classification

The following U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications and general duty rates are used for the types of Japanese ceramics handled by this shop:

Product CategoryU.S. HTS CodeGeneral Duty RateEarthenware or stoneware sake cups, tea bowls, plates, sake bottles, and teapots6912.00.45004.5%Earthenware or stoneware bowls, plates over 27.9 cm, and other tableware suitable for food or beverage contact6912.00.48109.8%Porcelain cups, tea bowls, and qualifying plates6911.10.58006.0%Porcelain bowls and other tableware suitable for food or beverage contact6911.10.801020.8%Earthenware or stoneware vases, jars, and ornamental articles6913.90.50006.0%Porcelain vases, jars, and ornamental articles6913.10.5000Free

The rates shown above are the general duty rates assigned to the listed HTS classifications.
Temporary surcharges, additional tariffs, trade measures, customs processing charges, or other government-imposed fees may also apply at the time of importation.

Any such applicable charges are calculated according to the U.S. customs rules in effect at the time of shipment and are included in the shipping amount shown for U.S. buyers.

The final tariff classification and assessment of duties are determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. If the applicable tariff rate or customs regulations change, the amount included in the shipping charge may also change.

🌏 Import Duties, Taxes, and VAT Outside the United States

For most countries and regions outside the United States, import duties, VAT, GST, taxes, and other import-related charges are not included in the item price or shipping price.

⸻ These charges may be collected by at checkout or by the customs authority, postal operator, carrier, customs broker, or another relevant organization upon import or delivery.
⸻ Amounts paid directly to customs authorities, tax authorities, carriers, or other third parties are not received by us and therefore cannot be refunded by us. Any request for a refund or drawback of duties or other charges must be submitted directly by the buyer to the organization that collected them.
⸻ If an order is returned because of an incorrect or incomplete address, failure to collect the parcel, refusal of delivery, non-payment of import charges, or another buyer-side circumstance, the original outbound shipping charge may be non-refundable where permitted by policy and applicable law. Import-related charges or return shipping costs imposed by third parties may also remain the responsibility of the buyer.

↩️ Return Policy

We accept returns requested through within 14 days of delivery.
For returns caused by a change of mind or other buyer-side circumstances, the following conditions apply:

• The buyer is responsible for return shipping

• The original shipping charge and any import duties already paid are non-refundable

• The item and all included accessories must be returned in the same condition in which they were received

• A tracked and fully insured shipping service covering the full value of the item must be used

⸻ If an item arrives damaged, defective, incorrect, or materially different from the listing description, the matter will be handled in accordance with the Money Back Guarantee and applicable policies.
⸻ Please review all photographs, measurements, condition notes, and the complete item description carefully before purchasing. The photographs form part of the item description.
Please contact us before purchasing if you have any questions.

Detailed Return Policy

・Return Period and Procedure
A return request must be submitted through the official return process within 14 days of delivery.
Please do not return an item before opening a return request on and receiving return instructions.
The returned item must be sent to the return address provided through the return process.・Buyer-Remorse and Buyer-Side Returns
The following are treated as buyer-side return reasons:

The buyer changed their mind. The item is no longer wanted. The item does not suit the buyer’s personal preferences. The buyer ordered the item by mistake. The buyer found another item or a lower price elsewhere. The size, color, glaze, texture, or appearance differs from the buyer’s expectations but is consistent with the listing. The buyer provided an incorrect or incomplete address. The buyer failed to collect the parcel. The buyer refused delivery. The buyer refused to pay applicable import charges. The return was caused by another circumstance attributable to the buyer or recipient.

For these returns, the buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for return shipping.
The original shipping and handling charge is non-refundable where permitted by policy and applicable law.

⸻ For U.S. orders, import duties and other customs-related charges are non-refundable in addition to the original shipping and handling charge.
⸻ For destinations outside the United States, duties, VAT, taxes, customs-clearance charges, brokerage fees, or carrier fees paid to third parties cannot be refunded by us.

・Condition of Returned Items
The item must be returned in the same condition in which it was received.
Where applicable, all included accessories must also be returned, including:

Signed wooden box or tomobako / Storage box / Cloth or wrapping / Artist information card / Certificate / Leaflet or accompanying documents / Any other included accessory

The return must be sent using a tracked shipping service with insurance covering the full value of the item. The item must be packed securely and appropriately to withstand international transportation.
A refund will be processed within the period required by after the returned item and all included accessories have been received and inspected.
If the item is returned used, altered, damaged, damaged because of inadequate packaging, or with missing accessories, any reduction in the refund will be limited to the loss in the item’s value and applied only where permitted by policy and applicable law.

・Damaged, Defective, Incorrect, or Materially Not as Described Items
If an item arrives damaged, defective, incorrect, or materially different from the listing description, please contact us promptly through and submit a return request. These cases will be handled in accordance with the Money Back Guarantee, applicable policies, and applicable law.
Where possible, please provide photographs of the following. These may be required for a carrier or insurance claim:

The entire item / The damaged area / All broken or detached pieces / The item and packaging as they appeared when the parcel was opened / Any dents, tears, holes, crushing, or other damage to the shipping box

⸻ Please do not repair, restore, clean, glue, or otherwise alter the item before contacting us. In the event of shipping damage, please retain the item, all fragments, the shipping box, wrapping, and cushioning materials until the matter has been fully resolved.

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