Table Setting #65
Elegant Style for Evening Drinking with "Oden" and Sake

Ri Sanpei (Yi Sam-pyeong) Kiln's refined painting adds a touch of sophistication to your meal. 

This trumpet-shaped bowl by Ri Sanpei (Yi Sam-pyeong) Kiln features "Oden(Japanese hot pot dish)", the perfect match for Japanese sake. The dignified form, standing up straight, gives a very chic impression. The orchids painted on the inside of the bowl add flair to this simple dish.

For the small dish, I chose a unique plum shape. In addition to a sauce container, they are also great for serving small confections and side dishes.

The paintings of the Ri Sanpei (Yi Sam-pyeong) Kiln make food look delicious without being too ostentatious. They are all very reliable dishes for cooks. 

For the condiment container, I chose Yamanaka lacquerware one with a spoon. It is the perfect size for spices and "Yuzu Kosho" (Japanese citron pepper). By arranging these small items in an authentic style, you can create the look of a Japanese restaurant.

I chose chopsticks made of bamboo by Yamachiku, the same material as the place mat. By matching chopsticks with the same material, you can create a harmonious appearance. For chopstick rests, I chose a set of　five cherry bark work pieces.　Each is engraved with a different Japanese pattern, and the craftsmanship clearly stands out. 

Ri Sanpei Orchid Arita Bowl

This is a serving bowl by Ri Sanpei, a brand by the descendant of Yi Sam-Pyeong, the discoverer of white porcelain ore for Arita ware.

The simple design with flowing orchids can be used for any menu. This is one of Ri Sanpei's most popular and classic products. Using the same Izumiyama pottery stone as the first generation, Ri Sanpei continues to produce porcelain ware that convey the atmosphere of the early Imari period. The style of early Imari is very different from that of the red and gold painted porcelain that was later exported to the West.

For early Imari, the underglaze blue painted patterns are simple, often painted freely with blue paint called "Gosu". When fired, the base color of the ware becomes slightly tinted and has a semi-glossy appearance.

The beauty of early Arita ware inherited by Ri Sanpei (Yi Sam-pyeong) Kiln - The Founder of Arita Ware

Brought back to Japan 400 years ago by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea, ceramic master Ri Sanpei (Yi Sam-pyeong) was instrumental in the breakthrough of Japanese ceramics technology and introduced the beautiful white porcelain production method to Arita by enthusiastic cross-border research.

Over time, in the present day, Ri Sanpei (Yi Sam-pyeong)'s descendant, Ri Sanpei (Yi Sam-pyeong)14, has revived "Early Imari" the oldest style of Arita Ware, by studying the Izumiyama porcelain ore that was discovered by the first generation. Reviving the lost techniques and styles of early Arita Ware porcelain in today's world, Ri Sanpei (Yi Sam-pyeong) Kiln's products have a unique style, with a simplicity and "Wabi Sabi" feeling that sets them apart from other Arita Ware.

The balance between the bluish, translucent texture of the porcelain body and the beauty of the margins in the Sometsuke (underglaze) painting will give the piece a remarkable presence in any contemporary dining space.