Medaka Rice Fish Japanese Rice Bowl

Enjoy the refined natural blue-green luster of celadon with this stylish Japanese rice bowl from Kosen Kiln. 

With its translucent glaze on the blue-jade hue of celadon, a tranquil atmosphere emanates from its glossy exterior, like the calm surface of a glistening pond. Adorning the surface of the rice bowl are Medaka rice fishes which are depicted with such realism that they look as though they are actually suspended in water. Each fish is hand-painted using brushes of differing thickness to draw the detailed designs. Three small dots give movement to the fish and add a delicate touch to the design. One can almost feel the fish gracefully swimming in a pond with their slightly curved tails.

The outer side of the rice bowl is artfully designed with a pair of Medaka rice fishes seen floating along the two ridges on the sides. The inner side of the bowl is decorated with one orange Medaka rice fish. 

This rice bowl is ideal for a generous serving of rice. Enjoy rice topped with fresh salmon sashimi that matches perfectly with the color of the rice bowl. The Medaka Rice Fish series includes plates that can be coordinated with this rice bowl to give your tabletop a unified theme. To make it a truly special gift, this item is packaged in a durable paper box that is labeled with the name of the kiln printed on Washi paper.

The current third generation, Takahiko Kawasoe, has a vision of "establishing Nabeshima culture" and began research and development of celadon from a different perspective from that of his grandfather. The kiln is working daily with the hope that the future of Nabeshima ware will be enriched 100 years from now. 

Nabeshima Kosen Kiln

The Kawasoe family were craftsmen specializing in figurines and glaze research, passing down their skills for generations. In 1963, Tameo, grandfather of the current owner, founded Kosen Kiln and spent over a decade perfecting Nabeshima celadon glazes, despite the risk of financial ruin. Today, third-generation owner Takahiko Kawasoe preserves this tradition in Okawachiyama, the “hidden kiln village.” After 56 years, he has resumed celadon R&D, blending classic techniques with a fresh perspective.

Nabeshima ware is a type of porcelain ware produced by the Nabeshima domain kiln, which was established in 1628 by 31 selected potters in the Arita and Imari areas, Saga Prefecture. This project was directly managed by the Saga Nabeshima domain in the early Edo period (1603 CE–1867 CE).

For about 250 years until the abolition of the domain in 1871, Nabeshima ware could only be used by shoguns and feudal lords. That time saw continuous production of porcelain Nabeshima ware masterpieces. These included iro-Nabeshima, or "colored Nabeshima ware," sometsuke, and celadon. Later the feudal kilns became private kilns, and new potters joined to create what we know today as Imari Nabeshima ware.