Ginsai Kagami Mochi

Get your home ready for a new year with this striking ceramic kagami mochi, or “mirror rice cake.” Placed on a glossy red platform are three smooth, rounded shapes, finished with an ornate red and gold decorative knot called kaga-mizuhiki. Remove the orange piece on top to reveal a hollow interior, perfect for storing sweets, or keep it empty to fill with your wishes for 2024. Crafted with the Kutani ware technique, this particular item utilizes ginsai, in which silver leaf is added to the ceramic material before glazing. It adds a beautiful, unique texture to the three rounded tiers that will shimmer well past January.

Kagami mochi is a common sight in Japanese households as December 31st approaches. A good luck charm during the New Year holidays, it is placed at the family’s Shinto altar, in the kitchen, living room, or near the front door. It is said that the shape of the stacked mochi resembles a bronze mirror, which was a highly valuable household item in ancient Japan, hence the name kagami, or mirror.

Traditionally, kagami mochi is made with two rice cakes (or mochi) symbolizing the past year and the new year, and topped with a citrus fruit called daidai, which means “generations” and represents the passage of time. This Kutani ware version, being made of porcelain, can be set out year after year, serving as a beautiful symbol for the promise of a fresh new year.

This item is a beautiful representation of the elegant Kutani items that hail from Ishikawa Prefecture. Kutani ware, the technique that gives this piece its striking texture and shine originated in the area, and the finishing touch — the kaga-mizuhiki — is called Kaga after the ancient name for Ishikawa Prefecture. Give it a prominent place in your home to set the tone for next year with traditional Japanese flair.

Seikou Kiln

Seikou Kiln, founded in the early Taisho era (1912–1926 CE) in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, has long been dedicated to the art of Japanese overglaze painting for Kutani ware. Through years of research, the kiln perfected a high-quality technique for transferring designs and patterns using in-house printed sheets. This method preserves the transparency of glassy glazes and the depth of thick overglaze paints, achieving the same richness as traditional hand-painting. Their work has earned prestigious accolades, including recognition in the Japan Tourism Agency's Charming Japanese Souvenir Contest.

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.