Tabby Lucky Cat with Sea Bream

This is a lucky cat, known as maneki neko in Japanese, holding a sea bream in one hand. In Japanese tradition, a white lucky cat symbolizes blessings and good fortune. 

The pattern is painted using the mori-e technique, similar to slip trailing. A thick paint is squeezed out of an icchin, a dispenser with a fine tip, and carefully applied to create raised patterns. Mori-e adds both visual detail and a tactile texture to the smooth porcelain surface.

The tabby pattern is associated with warmth and prosperity. It is said that a cat with its right paw raised invites fortune and luck.

Sea bream has long been valued as a symbol of celebration and good fortune, making it a fitting companion for this lucky cat.

In the past, Japanese farmers who lived with cats were believed to prosper, as the cats kept rats away from their crops. Over time, this association with good fortune gave rise to the lucky cat, which is now widely known as a charm for financial success.

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 and it has a history of over 350 years. It is characterized by the heavy brilliance of the five colors of green, yellow, red, purple, and navy blue 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.

The beauty of the various styles and methods of painting is known as "Japan Kutani" and is highly regarded around the world.