Shiga Izuru: Pottery History Born in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1968 Graduated from Prefectural High School in 1987 Trained at the Kasama-yaki kiln, Otsu Kou-gama Independent in Tegoshi, Kasama City in 1997 Selected for the Prefectural Art Festival Exhibition Selected for the Japan Handicraft Art Exhibition in 1999 (8 times thereafter) Awarded at the same exhibition in 2003 Certified as a Traditional Craftsman in the Kasama-yaki General Category in 2005 Kasama-yaki young artist, Shiga Izuru. Utilizing powerful wheel marks, the inside is brushed with white clay to enhance the color of the tea. This is a superb piece with a beautiful oil spot effect. Please take this opportunity to cherish the slightly large "Oil Spot Tenmoku Teacup." Kasama-yaki, handmade, folk art, artist's work, tea utensils, teacup Made by Traditional Craftsman Shiga Izuru Oil Spot Tenmoku Teacup Size: Diameter approx. 8.3cm, Height approx. 9.3cm Accessories: Paper-covered box, bookmark Product Features: New (latest work) Made in Japan (Ibaraki Prefecture) Because everything is handmade, the patterns and shapes are slightly different for each piece. There may also be distortions. The spots are called kiln changes and are not defects. The cracks on the surface are called "nyu" (crazing) and are caused by the difference in the shrinkage ratio of the clay and the glaze, and are not scratches. Note: We take great care in photography, but the colors may appear different depending on your monitor.