Auspicious Waka Sakura Guinomi

This guinomi sake cup is adorned with waka poems and sakura motifs painted by Tamura Seito, the fourth-generation artist of Kutani mohitsu saiji, or Kutani brush-writing micro calligraphy. Here, Tamura has chosen cherry blossoms to match the creamy white glaze, and paired them with auspicious poetry that wishes long life to the reader. Larger Japanese characters are interspersed with micro calligraphy, creating a balance and rhythm that dances across the vessel.

Tamura specializes in what she calls yasashii characters, using a word that can equally mean “gentle,” “soft,” or “kind.” In form, her lettering is supple and flexible. In intent, her calligraphy is responsive to the viewer. This piece is only truly complete once it reaches the viewer’s hands, and is arranged in their space and their life. Tamura uses no magnifying glass or other visual aids. Every letter is painted with the naked eye, sometimes with a brush as thin as a single hair.

The four poems written on this piece are from the Kokin Wakashu, an anthology of waka dating back over 1,000 years. Each contains wishes for long life—long enough for moss to grow on boulders, or numbering as many years as there are grains of sand on beaches. These are broken up and interspersed with verses about meeting again across the years. Each poem contains only thirty-one syllables, allowing the reader to add their own interpretation within the unfilled spaces. This blank space is echoed on the vessel itself, where letters and blossoms are surrounded by ample room for reflection. 

The result is a piece that reaches out across the ages, connecting hearts a thousand years apart.

Tamura Seito

Tamura Seito is the fourth-generation artist of Kutani mohitsu saiji, or brush-writing micro calligraphy on Kutani ware. Her supple lettering flows rhythmically, bringing poetry to life in miniature across porcelain. While drawing on the power of verses centuries old, she brings her own responsive style to the calligraphy, creating a world where ancient words overlap with contemporary experiences and songs take physical form.

Kutani Ware

Kutani ware is a pottery produced in the Kaga region of Ishikawa Prefecture, with a history spanning over 350 years. It is characterized by the heavy brilliance of the five colors of navy blue, red, purple, green, and yellow 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.