This unique Japanese mug has an elephant’s face on the inside and the whole body and apples on the outside. The rim is designed to follow the elephant’s face. The blue and sky blue color, with shades of watercolor, retains the warmth of hand-painting. With its humorous design and easy to use size, it is…
This sauce plate features a phoenix, a symbol of immortality, love, and happiness, in ko-Kutani (old Kutani) style, which is known as depicting nature-themed designs and distinctive bright colors of Kutani ware. The phoenix beautifully showcases the traditional five Kutani colors, gosaired, yellow, green, purple, and dark blue. Perfect as a sauce plate, it is…
This chopstick rest is shaped like a bamboo culm. In Japan, bamboo is considered a symbol of good luck, along with pine and plum trees. Its ability to stay green even in the cold and grow straight while bearing the weight of snow represents resilience, strength, and growth. Chopstick rests are an essential part…
This large donburi bowl features a stunning flower garden design nestled between a lattice-like pattern. The focus on red and green against a pure white base, appears even more vibrant with the addition of blue accents and subtle gold details. The painted design is rendered in a combination of styles inspired by nishiki-e and banreki….
This bowl showcases exquisite sometsuke designs hand-painted by master craftsman Yamamoto Choza. Detailed depictions of ancient treasures are believed to invite good fortune and prosperity. On the bottom of the bowl is the fuyode pattern, named after the Japanese word for cotton rose, with petal-like windows embellished with auspicious motifs. The intricacies of each design…
A chic lacquered Wagasi knife by Yatsuyanagi. The handle is made of wild cherry bark work and painted with a golden cherry blossom motif. Although small, the combination of different traditional techniques gives it a sophisticated appearance. The 12.5cm(4.9in) size is especially suitable as a Wagashi knife. It also makes an elegant impression when used for fruits and…
This is a glass bowl with makiage pattern from the Taisho Roman glass series by Hirota Glass, a long-established glass manufacturer in Tokyo. Makiage is a traditional tie-dyeing technique used in kimono making. This method creates intricate patterns that convey an aura of elegance and grace. This pattern is created by the aburidashi “invisible ink” technique,…
This square plate is perfectly suited for serving side dishes. The lines drawn along the rim accentuate the dish elegantly. Employing a technique of “Sometsuke” (underglaze cobalt blue) painting on a base brilliantly fired to a pure white, each piece is meticulously crafted, embodying the essence of Seto Sometsuke ware. Since the painting is done…
A pair of rice bowls decorated with hand-painted cherry blossoms and the falling petals blown in the wind. It painted in pale colors and sprinkled gold leaf, which is known as an iconic style of Kutani ware. In Japan, there is a culture of giving rice bowls as a gift to married couples to…
This ramen bowl features one of the signature motifs of Tobe ware. The graceful arabesque comes alive with the warmth of its dynamic hand-painted brushstrokes, inspired by nature and the striking contrast of indigo on porcelain white. Renowned for its durability and ease of use, Tobe ware is widely used in restaurants to serve Japanese…
This large donburi bowl embodies the earthy textures and natural colors typical of Bizen ware. Its rough surface and stunning patterns, created by the kiln’s flames, highlight the “art of clay and fire.” The unglazed red clay, adorned with natural ash markings, offers a rugged, metallic feel. Bizen ware, one of Japan’s oldest ceramics, is…
A heartfully crafted spoon of a turtle shell pattern. It is a large size, but being made of wood, it is light and easy to hold. The distinctive design makes you feel as if you are tasting it at a ramen restaurant. The handle and the spoon form a right angle, and the holes in the…