Kutani Ware Porcelain Oval Plate, Moon Rabbit

At a glance

• Moon Rabbit imagery draws on the Japanese folklore of a rabbit living on the moon
• Oval form gives cake, starters, cheese and small shared servings a more generous horizontal presentation
• Matching cup and mug continue the same night-time scene across an informal tea setting

In Japanese folklore, the markings on the moon are often imagined as a rabbit, traditionally shown pounding mochi beneath the full moon.

That familiar story becomes a quiet night scene on this oval plate. Three white rabbits move beneath a broad gold moon, linking the design with tsukimi, Japan's autumn tradition of pausing to admire the harvest moon.

The restrained grey, white and gold palette gives the imagery plenty of space rather than surrounding it with the intense colour often associated with Kutani Ware. The mottled ground also makes the gold moon and pale rabbits stand out differently as the plate is viewed across the table.

Its 20.8 × 13.5cm oval form is practical for a slice of cake with fruit alongside, biscuits for tea, cheese, starters, sushi or smaller shared servings. The elongated shape also adds variety to a table otherwise built around round plates.

The same Moon Rabbit scene continues across the matching cup and mug, allowing the motif to grow into a small collection without every piece being identical.