Featuring the distinctive “nami-yu” glaze, which is made from the ashes of the Kyoto forest, this mug has a natural base color in yellowish cream-white. 

It depicts the famous illustrated scroll named "Choju Giga" which is a caricature picture scroll depicting anthropomorphic animals and their playfulness, dating from the 12th to 13th centuries. These designs from the picture scrolls are designated as a Japanese national treasure in Kozan-ji Temple in Kyoto. Please enjoy these humorous and playful works intricately depicted through Tousen Kiln’s painting techniques.

Founded in 1868 as a Kiyomizu ware wholesaler in Kyoto, Tosen Kiln uses its own blend of soil and glaze, preserving the methods and quality of the works of Nonomura Ninsei, the renowned potter who is said to have established the art of Kyo ware in the 17th century. 

The paintwork is done by individual Japanese-style painters, pursuing their own originality and depth beyond the expectations for a mere decoration. 

If held with the right hand, we see the picture of wrestling between a frog and a rabbit. The mug is very light, and the handle is stroked by a handwritten line of gold. The lower part of the mug is faintly brushed with gold to portray grass. The other side of the mug depicts a fox enjoying the wrestling, turning the cup around playfully completes the comical scene.

The technique of painting directly on a bisqued plate requires unique skill as paint is quickly absorbed by the clay surface. The art of underglaze painting uses more restraint colors of blue and brown, giving the piece a more subdued impression. As the paint is absorbed under the glaze, the result is the more lucid and transparent finish of the delicate brush work, as opposed to the more solid pigments of overglaze painting. The finishing touch to the mug is a lining of gold. Due to its delicate characteristics, gold can only be applied as an overglaze to truly display its beautiful color. 

A lightweight mug with a warm cream white color with hand painted design. You can enjoy the company of playful rabbits, frogs and a fox entertaining your everyday tea or coffee.

Tosen Kiln introduces the timeless techniques of Kiyomizu ware through their delicate hand painting and modeling styles. The intricate paintings on the stoneware breathe warmth and beauty into the pieces and tell stories of the diligence needed to create them.

PRODUCT DETAIL

• Dimension: D9.2cm(3.6in) x H7.8cm(3.1in)
• Capacity: 300ml(9.5oz)
• Material: Stoneware
• Origin: Made in Japan - Kiyomizu Ware
• Brand: Tosen Kiln