Kinsai Jewel Dragon

This Kutani ware auspicious item, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, presents the powerful and auspicious image of a dragon, a revered symbol in many cultures. The dragon is celebrated for bringing good harvests, fishing luck, and for warding off misfortune. Its strong form is believed to attract positive energy and prosperity, particularly in terms of wealth. 

The dragon is beautifully depicted with a body of red scales, peeking out from a spherical cluster of pink clouds. Golden feathers crown the dragon, enhancing its majestic appearance, and in its hand, it holds a hoju "sacred gem," believed to have the power to grant thoughts and wishes. As a symbol of abundance and the breaker of bad luck, this dragon powerfully represents rising fortune and familial prosperity.

Kutani craftsmen meticulously hand-paint each detail, utilizing pearl-like paint. This, in harmony with the shimmering hues of mica gold (a type of non-metallic Western paint), gives the piece a radiant finish.

Choho Kiln

Chosaku Nishi, the founder of Choho Kiln studied the method of Mori-e with his brother Taikichi back in the Taisho period. Up till that time, this method was used to decorate flat surfaces. The brothers developed the idea of applying this method to Kutani Ware figurines as Chosaku had studied the basics of form, design and color mixing as a teenager. As it turned out, the Mori-e technique suited Kutani Ware figurines very well, and henceforth Mori-e became the mainstream decorating technique for Kutani Ware figurines.

The second generation Choho learned various techniques from his predecessor, trained many apprentices, and solidified the foundation of Choho Kiln. Today, Choho is the third generation of the Choho family, and is committed to preserving the tradition of Mori-e while seeking out new possibilities for this traditional technique.

Kutani ware is a pottery produced in the Kaga region of Ishikawa Prefecture and it has a history of over 350 years. It is characterized by the heavy brilliance of the five colors of green, yellow, red, purple, and navy blue that are applied to the bold and daring lines. Its long history has evolved through the tireless efforts and enthusiasm of people who have sought innovation while maintaining tradition.

The beauty of the various styles and methods of painting is known as "Japan Kutani" and is highly regarded around the world.