Kutani Ware Porcelain Mug, Leaping Rabbit

At a glance

• Three white rabbits leap beneath a gold moon, drawing on Japan’s familiar moon rabbit imagery
• Mottled charcoal grey surface looks stone-like, but feels smooth in the hand
• Matching Moon Rabbit yunomi and oval plate continue the scene across a tea setting

From a distance, this is almost a charcoal grey mug. Look closer and three white rabbits appear, running through fine gold grasses beneath a round gold moon.

The scene connects with a familiar image in Japan. The markings on the moon are traditionally imagined as a rabbit, often shown pounding mochi, and the rabbit remains closely associated with tsukimi, Japan’s autumn moon viewing tradition.

The restrained palette is part of the appeal. White rabbits and fine gold details stand clearly against the mottled grey ground without turning the mug into a brightly coloured piece. There is also a tactile surprise: the surface looks rough and almost stone-like, but is actually smooth to the touch.

The same Moon Rabbit scene is also available on a matching yunomi and oval plate, so the motif can continue across a tea setting without every piece needing to be identical.