Playful Cat Designed Side Plate

Enjoy meal time with this unique plate from Kousai Kiln. This charmingly designed plate is handmade, combining the Shigaraki style "Yakishime(high-fired unglazed ceramics)" and traditional "Some-nishiki," a technique where a product is first glazed with white and blue patterns and then further decorated with detailed hand-painted drawings.

Enjoy the different traditional Japanese patterns painted on the plate: the hemp leaf pattern in red, the Seigaiha ocean wave pattern in Indigo blue, the Shippou interlocking circular patterns in green, and the Jimon(a design used for kimono fabric) pattern in blue. The plate has a warm and nostalgic feel.

Use this plate to serve small portions of a main dish like fried chicken or grilled fish. The cute design makes this plate a great item to use for tea time or snacks for children. There are matching cups and rice bowls 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.