Treasure Pattern and Fuyode Medium Bowl

This bowl showcases exquisite sometsuke designs hand-painted by master craftsman Yamamoto Choza. Detailed depictions of ancient treasures are believed to invite good fortune and prosperity. Encircling the outer base is the fuyode pattern, named after the Japanese word for cotton rose, with petal-like windows embellished with auspicious motifs. The intricacies of each design invite a closer look.

The porcelain base is formed using the katauchi technique, where a smooth layer of clay is placed over a mold and carefully shaped by hand with precise force to replicate the form. Through expert craftsmanship, the final product attains a thin and uniform appearance.

Yamamoto Choza has refined the exquisite art of sometsuke, as reflected in the bowl’s graceful pattern of flowing curves and fine detail. Each stroke is applied with meticulous care, emphasizing the bowl’s distinctive Kutani character. By skillfully using brushes of varying thicknesses, Yamamoto creates subtle gradations of blue that heighten the work’s dimensionality. He deftly attains a masterful equilibrium of white space within his finely woven blue lines.

Rooted in his philosophy that a piece should quietly support the food it carries, this bowl reflects a refined balance between form and restraint. It is designed not to speak over the food, but to let it be appreciated in full.

Yamamoto Choza

Yamamoto Choza is renowned for his innovative synthesis of traditional elegance and modern creativity in blue Kutani ware pottery, also known as ai-Kutani. With years of disciplined study and refined technique, he transforms classical forms through delicate brushwork and a controlled tension that unfolds a narrative of timeless artistry.

Inspired by antique aesthetics, his ceramic art is imbued with auspicious motifs and profound philosophical resonance, creating porcelain pieces that honor heritage while engaging a contemporary audience.

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.