Recycling of HIBIKI Hibiki 21-Year-Old Kutani Yakise Eikakakumon Shita-shaped Bottle
Regular price $999,999.00(Get a quote now)
Hibiki 21 Year Old Kutani Ware Iroe Kasumi Tsuru-mon Shimonaga-gata Bottle: A Rare Craftsmanship Theme of Cranes in Mist
"Kasumi Tsuru" refers to cranes flying amidst morning glow or mist, one of the most ethereal imageries in classical Japanese painting. "Shimonaga-gata" (下蕪形) is a traditional ceramic shape, where the bottle is narrow at the top and round at the bottom, resembling an inverted turnip. The combination of the Kasumi Tsuru-mon (misty crane motif) and the Shimonaga-gata bottle creates an atmosphere of "divine birds residing in a sacred vessel," making it the most mysterious in the Hibiki 21 Year Old Kutani Ware series. This pairing of theme and shape is rare, and the limited number of existing pieces makes it a noteworthy selling point when offered for sale.
About Hibiki and Kutani Ware Art Bottles
Hibiki is Suntory's flagship blended whisky, not a single malt. It is blended using malt whiskies from Yamazaki and Hakushu as its core, combined with grain whisky from Chita. Some of these whiskies are aged in plum wine casks, imparting a mellow, fruity sweetness to the spirit.
Kutani ware art bottles are a high-end product line from Hibiki aimed at the collector's market. Each piece is hand-painted by a ceramic artist, with varying themes, kiln styles, and shapes, making them inherently rare. For these art bottles, the craftsmanship of the bottle itself, the rarity of the painted motif, and the completeness of accompanying items such as the Paulownia wood box often influence the final selling price more than the age of the whisky. The Kasumi Tsuru theme, which requires layered glazes to achieve its subtle gradients, is particularly challenging to craft and existing pieces are relatively concentrated.
Constituent Elements of the Kasumi Tsuru Theme
| Element | Imagery | Visual Representation |
| Cranes | Longevity, elegance, ethereal beauty. | Cranes in flight. |
| Mist (Kasumi) | Mystery, early morning. | Faint cloud patterns. |
| Multiple Layers | Mist highlighting flying cranes. | Glaze transitioning from dark to light. |
| Shimonaga-gata Shape | Rustic, stable. | Narrow top, round bottom, like an inverted turnip. |
Key Factors Affecting Resale Value
| Assessment Item | Optimal Condition | Common Deductions |
| Mist Gradient | Smooth transition from dark to light, natural blending. | Abrupt color changes, uneven blending. |
| Crane Painting | Complete posture, full luster of red glaze on crane's crown. | Worn glaze, damaged painting. |
| Shimonaga-gata Bottle Body | Symmetrical narrow top and round bottom, no cracks or chips. | Neck damage, cracks on body. |
| Paulownia Wood Box Set | Complete set with dedicated Shimonaga-gata box. | Missing box, box water-damaged or broken. |
Selling Process
- Initial Photo Appraisal: WhatsApp photos of the bottle from five angles to 46135750, including information on the known version and accessories. Our team will reply with an estimated price on the same day.
- Verify Theme and Shape: Confirm the Kasumi Tsuru-mon, Shimonaga-gata, and bottom mark, and compare with the current week's transaction range.
- Arrange Handover: Appointments can be made for door-to-door service or meeting at our store across Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories, Outlying Islands, and Macau. After appraisal, payment will be settled immediately in cash or via FPS, with full confidentiality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between "Kasumi Tsuru-mon" and a regular "Tsuru-mon" (crane motif)?
A regular crane motif features the crane itself as the sole subject; Kasumi Tsuru incorporates a misty background, requiring layered glazes to create a hazy atmosphere. This makes it more challenging to craft and relatively rarer, thus attracting more attention in the collector's market.
Q: Is the Shimonaga-gata bottle prone to damage? How does its condition affect the valuation?
The Shimonaga-gata, being narrow at the top and round at the bottom, has a stable center of gravity and is relatively less prone to toppling. However, its neck is slender, so it's advisable to hold the lower part of the bottle when moving it. Any damage or cracks on the neck or glaze will be reflected in the valuation, so the more intact its condition, the better for its value.
Q: Why do quotes for the same item sometimes fluctuate slightly?
Art bottles are actively traded items, and their transaction prices can change with market supply and demand. Additionally, each hand-painted bottle's condition and accessories may vary. Our quotes will be close to the current market range and adjusted according to the actual condition of your item, rather than applying old prices.
WhatsApp Instant Quote: 46135750
Reference Models in the Same Series
Different batches and painted kiln styles within the same year of the Hibiki series often have significant price differences. Before selling, you can compare your version:
- HIBIKI 21 Year Old Kutani Ware Ko-Kutani Style Pine, Bamboo, Plum Motif Hyotan-gata Bottle - Hong Kong Professional Valuation and Resale Price
- HIBIKI 30 Year Old Kacho-fugetsu (Birds and Flowers) Edition Resale Price
- HIBIKI 21 Year Old Arita Ware Iroe Tsubaki Shibagaki-mon Tsutsu-gata Bottle Resale Price
- Professional Resale Value for HIBIKI 35 Year Old Tokuda Yasokichi III Whisky
- HIBIKI Deep Harmony Limited Edition Whisky Resale Price
Further Reading
To learn more about market prices for other years and versions of Hibiki, you can browse the latest Hibiki resale quotes, refer to the list of Japanese whisky models for resale, or visit the Japanese Whisky Encyclopedia series.
