Delicate sakura petals and leaves decorate Kyoto in spring. The weeping cherry blossoms are one of the representative flowers of Kyoto, and encapsulate Kyoto's unique atmosphere. Green and pink hues pop against the yellowish cream white color enabling you to imagine the gentle sway of the leaves and blossoms drooping down. Please enjoy these intricate paintings of "Gion-zakura" or weeping cherry blossoms.

These colorful pieces feature a famous illustrated scroll named "Choju Jinbutsu Giga" which is a caricature picture scroll depicting anthropomorphic animals and their playfulness, dating from the mid-12th to mid-13th centuries. These designs from the picture scrolls are designated as a Japanese national treasure in Kozan-ji Temple in Kyoto. Please enjoy these humorous and playful works intricately depicted through Tosen Kiln's painting techniques.

Powerful depictions of the "Wind God and Thunder God," a masterpiece by Tawaraya Sotatsu–a painter of the Edo period (c.1603-1867), is available to enjoy through tableware. Since ancient times, people in Japan have believed that the wind blows and thunder rumbles because of the presence of these two gods in the sky between heaven and earth. It is believed that the wind and thunder gods are beneficial for victory and business prosperity. Enjoy these hand painted works representative of Tosen Kiln's technique.

The Camellia series serves as a tribute to the refined underglaze painting techniques that symbolize the kiln's commitment to traditional aesthetics and craftsmanship. Masterfully brought to life by artists skilled in Japanese style painting, each piece in the series showcases the artisan Taniguchi's evolved Camellia design, featuring a harmonious blend of dark and light greens, and the unique raised and glossy finish of red and white petals. The Camellia series encapsulates a balance of simplicity and elegance, reflective of Kyoto's esteemed ceramic legacy.

The Tokusa series presents a fresh take on the traditional blue Horsetail design through Taniguchi's artistic adaptation. Infusing warmth and depth, Taniguchi has elegantly reimagined this pattern in two colors, enhancing the hand-drawn lines that stand in stark contrast to mass-produced printing. These meticulously penciled lines, gracefully complement the kiln's signature creamy-white bisque. Adding to its distinctiveness, intentional dents artfully punctuate the bisque's surface, breaking away from conventional round forms.

Behind the Works of Tosen Kiln

Tosen Kiln: Kyoto's Ceramic Heritage and Future