Medaka Rice Fish Basket Side Plate

Enjoy the refined natural blue-green luster of celadon with this stylish side plate from Kosen Kiln. 

This porcelain piece captivates with its intricately woven basket-like design on both sides. The translucent glaze on the blue-jade hue of celadon, creates a tranquil atmosphere emanating from the plate's glossy surface. Medaka rice fishes are depicted with such realism that they look as though they are actually suspended in water. Each fish is hand-painted using brushes of differing thickness to draw the detailed designs. Three small dots give movement to the fish and add a delicate touch to the design. One can almost feel the fish gracefully swimming in a pond with their slightly curved tails.

This plate is the ideal size to serve side dishes and sweets. Cuts of cold tofu or slices of sashimi can also be beautifully served as an appetizer on these well-crafted side plates. The Medaka Rice Fish series includes other items that can be coordinated with this side plate to give your tabletop a unified theme. This item is set in a durable paper box labeled with the name of the kiln on Washi paper making it a perfect item as a gift.

The current third generation, Takahiko Kawasoe, has a vision of "establishing Nabeshima culture" and has begun research and development of celadon from a different perspective from that of his grandfather. The kiln is working daily with the hope that the future of Nabeshima ware will be enriched 100 years from now. 

Nabeshima Kosen Kiln

The Kawasoe family were craftsmen specializing in figurines and glaze research, passing down their skills for generations. In 1963, Tameo, grandfather of the current owner, founded Kosen Kiln and spent over a decade perfecting Nabeshima celadon glazes, despite the risk of financial ruin. Today, third-generation owner Takahiko Kawasoe preserves this tradition in Okawachiyama, the “hidden kiln village.” After 56 years, he has resumed celadon R&D, blending classic techniques with a fresh perspective.

Nabeshima ware is a type of porcelain ware produced by the Nabeshima domain kiln, which was established in 1628 by 31 selected potters in the Arita and Imari areas, Saga Prefecture. This project was directly managed by the Saga Nabeshima domain in the early Edo period (1603 CE–1867 CE).

For about 250 years until the abolition of the domain in 1871, Nabeshima ware could only be used by shoguns and feudal lords. That time saw continuous production of porcelain Nabeshima ware masterpieces. These included iro-Nabeshima, or "colored Nabeshima ware," sometsuke, and celadon. Later the feudal kilns became private kilns, and new potters joined to create what we know today as Imari Nabeshima ware.