Rabbit and Yellow Treasure Bag

This home decoration takes the form of an auspicious treasure bag with a rabbit, a symbol of good fortune.

A treasure bag is a mythical sack said to be carried by one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, Daikokuten. It is believed to hold an unlimited supply of treasures and food, making it a highly auspicious motif in Japanese culturer. The rabbit depicted on the treasure bag represents calmness and gentle warmth.

The treasure bag is painted in bright yellow and orange, colors associated with celebration, and adorned with auspicious patterns of pine trees, bamboo leaves, and plum blossoms. These patterns are created using the traditional mori-e technique, which is similar to slip trailing. A thick paint is squeezed from an icchin, a dispenser with a fine tip, and carefully applied to form raised decorative patterns, adding both texture and visual depth.

This piece is displayed on a wooden tray with a red felt cloth, enhancing its auspicious presence. A wooden plate accompanies it, inscribed with Japanese calligraphy. Beautifully crafted, this home decor item brings good fortune and a festive atmosphere to any space.

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, 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.