Playful Cat Designed Japanese Rice Bowl

Enjoy eating rice from this cute rice bowl designed with a playful cat from Kousai Kiln. This charmingly designed rice bowl is handmade, combining the Shigaraki style yakishime (high-fired unglazed ceramics) and the traditional somenishiki, a technique where a product is first glazed with white and blue patterns and then is further decorated with detailed hand-painted drawings. 

The face of the cat and traditional Japanese patterns are coated with a smooth glaze, and the remaining surface retains its coarse and rustic stoneware texture. The curled-up cat's ears peek out from the rice bowl, and its tail is neatly painted on the back side of the bowl. Find the cat's small paws on the foot of the bowl. 

This rice bowl can be enjoyed by adults as well as children. Group this rice bowl with the matching cup and plate to make a full set with the "Playful Cat" motif. 

Kousai Kiln

Kousai Kiln is owned by Umeno Hirohiko, a potter based in Hasami-cho, Nagasaki Prefecture. He trained at a Kiyomizu ware kiln in Kyoto and opened his own kiln in Mt. Nakao in 1991. He produces unique pottery based on handmade and hand-painted techniques.

Combining Shigaraki-style yakishime, or high-fired unglazed ceramics, and traditional somenishiki painting, his unique style is popular for its fusion of stoneware, which is relatively rare for Hasami ware, and the Kyoto-influenced elegance of Kyo ware. The unique motifs of these ceramics, such as depictions of plants like flowers and grapes and animals like cats and rabbits, make it fun to choose from a wide variety of pieces.

Hasami ware is a traditional Japanese ceramic produced in Hasami Town, often called the "Town of Pottery," located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu. For over 400 years, it has been cherished as durable and practical tableware for everyday use.

It is known for its vibrant hand-painted designs on a pure white porcelain base—an iconic feature of Japanese porcelain. While Hasami ware continues to honor traditional patterns, artisans are constantly creating new designs that suit contemporary lifestyles, blending timeless beauty with modern functionality.