Kutani Ware Porcelain Cup, Korin Ume, 300ml

At a glance

• Plum blossoms and a flowing blue-and-gold stream recall a celebrated work of Japanese art
• Dark branches and tiny red flowers form a continuous composition around the cup
• Tall, handleless form suits everyday tea, coffee and other hot drinks

Turn this cup in your hand and the picture changes. Dark plum branches extend around its surface, with small red blossoms appearing beside a sweeping blue-and-gold stream.

The design is called Korin Ume (光琳梅), after Ogata Kōrin, one of the leading artists of Japan's Rinpa school. His celebrated folding screens, Red and White Plum Blossoms, depict flowering plum trees separated by a dramatically winding stream. This cup echoes the painting's distinctive combination of botanical forms and flowing water.

Kōrin was known for simplifying plum blossoms into rounded shapes rather than outlining every petal. That stylised approach gives the flowers a recognisable character, while the contrast between delicate branches and bold, swirling decoration makes the design interesting from several angles.

The artwork wraps around a tall, handleless porcelain cup, bringing that decorative richness into everyday use. Its generous capacity suits tea or coffee, offering an alternative to a conventional mug for someone who enjoys drinking from a cup without a handle.

For someone interested in Japanese art, the cup also offers something to discover beyond its appearance: a familiar daily object that carries a connection to one of Japan's best-known decorative paintings.