Kutani Ware Oval Plate, Moon Rabbit

At a glance

- Kutani yaki (九谷焼) porcelain, Kitano Toujudou / Toulife, Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture; gosu outline and thick five colour overglaze, over 360 years of Kutani technique
- White rabbits run beneath a single gold moon on a deep, night sky ground; tied to tsukimi, Japan's fond autumn tradition of moon watching
- Approx. 13.5 x 20.8cm oval; hand wash recommended

In Japan, the full moon is watched for rather than simply noticed, especially at tsukimi, the autumn moon viewing festival, when families set out round dumplings and admire the harvest moon. Rabbits are woven into that same tradition: Japanese folklore places a rabbit on the moon itself, forever pounding rice cakes beneath it. Here, three rabbits run mid leap across the plate beneath a single gold moon, set against a deep, mottled ground dark enough to read as a night sky.

Kutani's classic technique is on full display here: a fine blue black gosu outline sets the drawing, then thick overglaze enamel is built up in the traditional five colours, red, yellow, green, purple and deep blue, a craft with more than 360 years of history behind it.

It comes from Kitano Toujudou, trading as Toulife, a Kutani specialist based in Nomi City, Ishikawa, trading since 1972, working closely with more than a hundred local artisans, kilns and workshops to bring pieces like this to a wider table.

At 13.5 by 20.8cm, it suits a starter, a few slices of cheese, or a small pile of biscuits, and pairs naturally with the matching mug and yunomi teacup if the whole scene appeals.