ALEXCIOUS

The bird and pine, bamboo, and plum motifs in Kutani five colors

Pairing Ishikawa Prefecture's beautiful traditional craft, Kutani ware, with food

It features birds on a bamboo-shaped base, adorned with pine and plum tree paintings. Perfect for holding chopsticks, forks, knives, and spoons, this design symbolizes celebration in Japan with its traditional "shōchikubai" motif.

Overglaze painting that evokes the charm of Kutani ware

The charm of Kutani ware includes an overglaze painting known as "Kutani-gosai," which uses five colors: green, yellow, purple, red, and navy blue. Overglaze painting is a technique where patterns are hand-painted on ceramic ware that has already been fired, and then glazed and fired again, a method also used in Arita ware, among others.

The history of Kutani ware

Kutani ware began in Japan's Edo period, around the village of Kutani (now Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture), when high-quality clay deposits were discovered. It was initiated under the patronage of Maeda Toshitsune, the first lord of the Kaga Domain, around 1655 as part of the domain's efforts to promote industry. The domain sent Gotō Saijirō, a retainer, to learn pottery techniques in Arita, Saga Prefecture.

Production of Kutani ware ceased in 1705 after firing a kiln with a length of 34 meters, only to be revived about a century later in 1807 with the arrival of master craftsman Aoki Mokube from Kyoto. Many kilns were reopened thereafter.

Various artisans have since contributed to the development of Kutani ware, leading to its exportation to Europe and the United States, and its exhibition at the Vienna World Exposition in 1873. Thanks to the efforts of many individuals, Kutani ware traditions continue to thrive today.