Kutani Ware Porcelain Cat-Shaped Chopstick Rest

At a glance

• The porcelain itself forms the cat rather than simply carrying a printed motif
• Larger than many chopstick rests, so it can also hold a teaspoon or small garnish
• Different cat designs can be mixed across the table or given as a small gift

Here, the cat is not decoration added to an ordinary chopstick rest. The whole porcelain form becomes the cat.

Made in Kutani ware porcelain, its elongated body creates a natural place for chopsticks to sit between bites while giving a very small table accessory an immediately recognisable personality.

The different designs use pattern and colour across the cat's body rather than simply changing one flat colour. That makes it easy to mix several versions around the table so each place setting has its own character.

At around 7cm long, the rest also has enough surface to hold a teaspoon, small garnish or a little seasoning when chopsticks are not being used. That extra flexibility helps it earn a place beyond one type of meal.

For someone fond of cats, it works as a small useful gift rather than another purely decorative figurine.