Nabeshima Chinese Flowers Sakazuki Flat Sake Cup

This sakazuki flat sake cup is carefully decorated with the traditional karakusa, Chinese flowers, design using extremely fine brush strokes drawn by skilled craftsmen. The karakusa pattern is a floral pattern that was popular during the Tang Dynasty in China and was influenced by and prized in Japan during the Nara Period (710–794 CE). It is a gorgeous design created by combining several types of plant motifs such as lotus flowers, palmettes, and peonies.

The inner surface of the sakazuki flat sake cup is decorated with the karakusa pattern, a classic Nabeshima pattern, while the reverse side is adorned with a cloisonne pattern and the side of the stand displays the iconic kushime, comb pattern, of Nabeshima ware. 

The style of iro-Nabeshima has traditional rules, consisting of one color for sometsuke (indigo blue) and three colors for akae (red, yellow, and green). After the outline is drawn in indigo blue gosu pigment, overglaze painting in red, kibi (yellow), and moe (green) is used to color in the design. Although it may seem that many colors are used, in fact, only three are applied—a hallmark of iro-Nabeshima—and its beauty is regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese porcelain.

Hataman Touen

Hataman Touen inherits the rich history and techniques of Imari Nabeshima ware, a tradition spanning 370 years, while embracing the spirit of Japanese culture that enriches the heart and soul. They aim to embody Japanese aesthetics in a modern context and share their story and products with the world.

Nabeshima ware is a type of porcelain crafted at the meticulously managed Nabeshima domain kiln. This kiln, which operated as a government-run project under the direct supervision of the Saga Nabeshima domain, flourished during the early Edo period (1603–1868 CE).

For approximately 250 years, Nabeshima ware was reserved solely and exclusively for shoguns and feudal lords, with the kilns producing exquisite pieces in styles like iro-Nabeshima (overglaze enamel), ai-Nabeshima (sometsuke), and Nabeshima seiji (celadon). After the feudal system ended, the kilns were privatized, welcoming new potters and giving rise to what is now known as Imari Nabeshima ware.