Kutani Ware Porcelain Cup, Good Fortune, 180ml

At a glance

• Each pattern carries its own good-fortune meaning, making the choice personal as well as decorative
• Glossy, slightly raised Kutani colour gives the pattern depth you can feel under your fingers
• Handleless form works for Japanese tea, coffee and a home flat white

Choosing the pattern is part of the point.

Seikou Kiln's Good Fortune collection, 吉祥 Kissyo, brings together Japanese motifs associated with wishes for luck, prosperity, protection, longevity and progress. The same cup shape changes meaning depending on the design you choose.

The decoration has a physical presence too. Seikou Kiln's translucent Kutani overglaze colours sit slightly raised from the porcelain, giving the pattern depth that can be felt as well as seen.

The 180ml handleless form works naturally for tea and coffee, including a home flat white, while also sitting comfortably alongside a meal where a conventional mug may feel oversized.

Each motif carries its own association.

Cat (Neko)
Cats have long been associated with good fortune and prosperity in Japan.

Plum & Chrysanthemum (Umekiku)
Plum is associated with resilience and prosperity, while chrysanthemum has longstanding associations with longevity.

Camellia (Tsubaki)
Its evergreen leaves made camellia a traditional auspicious motif associated with enduring life and longevity.

Chidori
Plovers crossing waves represent overcoming difficulties together, giving the motif associations with household harmony and shared perseverance.

Lion Dance
Shishimai is traditionally performed to drive away misfortune and pray for health and safety, especially around New Year and festivals.

Rabbit
The rabbit's ability to leap forward gives the motif associations with progress, advancement and taking a step into something new.

Mt. Fuji
Japan's highest mountain has long been treated as an auspicious image and is traditionally associated with advancement and success.

The meaning does not have to determine the choice, but it gives each pattern something beyond colour alone. That also makes the cup easy to choose for someone else when the symbolism suits the occasion or recipient.

- Umekiku set: plate, mug, lucky cup and rice bowl
- Ishidatami set: plate, mug and rice bowl
- Chidori set: plate, lucky cup and rice bowl