Kutani Ware Rice Bowl, Three Patterns

At a glance

- Kutani yaki (九谷焼) porcelain, Seikou Kiln, Ishikawa Prefecture; overglaze colour applied using the workshop's own in house transfer technique
- Three traditional patterns to choose from: Umekiku (plum and chrysanthemum), Ishidatami (a chequered, cobblestone pattern), or Chidori (plover and wave)
- Approx. 11.5cm diameter, H6.5cm; dishwasher and microwave safe

Three patterns share this rice bowl.

• Umekiku (plum and chrysanthemum) pairs two flowers long seen together in Japanese design, ume for quiet resilience, kiku for longevity.
• Ishidatami (a chequered, cobblestone pattern) takes its name from stone paving laid out in a grid, considered protective against misfortune in Japan.
• Chidori (plover and wave) is one of Japan's oldest good luck patterns, birds crossing rough water together long standing for a household that gets through hard times side by side.

Kutani yaki began in Japan's early Edo period, in the 17th century, in Kutani village in what is now Ishikawa Prefecture, a coloured porcelain tradition now some 350 years old. Seikou Kiln opened in 1935 in Terai, Ishikawa, and its transfer paper is developed in house, applied by hand until the seams disappear entirely. A rice bowl's curved wall is one of the harder shapes to apply transfer paper to neatly, handled by the workshop's most experienced artisans.

At 11.5cm across, this is a proper rice or noodle bowl, deep enough for a generous portion without crowding the pattern out of view. All three patterns are also sold as matching sets: - Umekiku set: plate, mug, lucky cup and rice bowl
- Ishidatami set: plate, mug and rice bowl
- Chidori set: plate, lucky cup and rice bowl