Kutani Ware Porcelain Sake Cup, Good Fortune, 70ml

At a glance

• Works for sake, espresso, small appetisers and condiments
• Glossy Kutani overglaze gives the decoration visible depth and a subtly raised feel
• Four auspicious motifs let you choose the cup by meaning, not colour alone

Why put a goldfish, a dog or a plum blossom on a sake cup?

Seikou Kiln's Good Fortune collection, 吉祥 Kissyo, is built around Japanese auspicious imagery. Each pattern carries a different cultural association, turning the decoration into part of the reason for choosing one cup over another.

The compact porcelain form is made for sake served in small pours, but its size also makes it useful for small appetisers, condiments or a single bite beside a meal.

Across the outside, Seikou Kiln uses its distinctive Kutani overglaze colours. The decoration has a glossy, layered appearance and sits slightly raised from the porcelain, so the pattern can be felt as well as seen.

Four motifs are available.

Goldfish
Associated with financial luck and prosperity.

Beckoning Cat
Maneki-neko is traditionally associated with inviting good fortune, prosperity and people.

Plum
Ume blossom is associated with resilience and the arrival of spring after winter.

Dog
Dogs are traditionally associated with safe childbirth and family blessings in Japan.

The meanings give each design a more personal reason to choose. The cup can be selected for its symbolism, for the recipient of a gift, or simply for the motif that feels most relevant to its owner.