Kozan-ji Temple Choju Giga Katakuchi Sake Carafe
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Featuring the distinctive nami-yu glaze, which is made from the ashes of the Kyoto forest, this Katakuchi Sake carafe has a natural base color of yellowish cream-white. With the design of "Choju Giga", you can enjoy the company of playful rabbits, frogs, and a fox entertaining your sake drinking experience.
The paintwork is done by individual Japanese-style painters, pursuing their own originality and depth beyond the expectations for a mere decoration.
This Katakuchi Sake carafe 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 Tosen Kiln’s painting techniques.
The handle is made of the branch, giving a contrast between the smooth stoneware and the rustic texture of wood. Holding the carafe, we see the picture of a wrestling match between a frog and a rabbit. The carafe is very light, and the rim is stroked by a handwritten line of gold. The lower part of the carafe is faintly brushed with gold to portray grass. The other side of the carafe depicts a fox enjoying the wrestling, turning the item around playfully completes the comical scene.
DETAILS
| Quantity | 1 |
| Size |
D 10 cm (9.8 in) x H 7.5 cm (2.9 in) [with handle] H 17 cm (6.7 in) |
| Capacity | 300 ml (9.5 fl oz) |
| Material | Stoneware |
| Package Type | Paper box |
| Microwave | No |
| Dishwasher | No |
Maker / Brand
Tosen Kiln was founded in 1868 as a Kiyomizu ware wholesaler. In 1944, it established a production studio in Mukomachi, a suburb of Kyoto, marking the beginning of full-scale Kiyomizu ware production. Today, the kiln operates in Gojo, Kyoto, continuing its legacy of craftsmanship.
Dedicated to refining its techniques and artistic sensibilities, Tosen Kiln embraces Kyoto’s traditional craftsmanship while adapting it for the modern era. Drawing inspiration from Edo-period master potter Nonomura Ninsei, it preserves his precise lathing techniques and luminous painting styles, blending them with clean lines and warm tones to create pieces that resonate with contemporary aesthetics.
Crafts
Kyo ware and Kiyomizu ware, collectively known as Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki, are celebrated pottery styles from Kyoto. Known for their vibrant designs, finely sculpted forms, and dedication to handcrafted detail, these wares reflect Kyoto’s distinctive sense of beauty and artistic refinement.
Defined by a long-cultivated diversity, Kyo ware and Kiyomizu ware have drawn on techniques and styles from pottery traditions across Japan, evolving into a richly expressive and distinctly Kyoto art form. Recognized as a Traditional Craft of Japan in 1977, they continue to be cherished for their cultural depth and everyday appeal.
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Sake Carafes
We have collected wonderful sake carafes (sake bottles) from all over Japan that will enrich your blissful moments of savoring your favorite sake. Our collection includes a variety of traditional styles such as tokkuri, katakuchi, and chirori, each with its own unique charm and function.
The standard size of a sake carafe is 180–360 ml (6–12 fl oz). For those who prefer to drink in larger quantities or often share with groups of more than two, we recommend choosing a larger size.
Explore our exquisite range of sake carafes, crafted from a variety of materials, including elegant metalware and inviting stoneware. Pair your preferred sake carafe with sake cups of your choice to create your very own sake set and elevate your drinking experience to new heights.
Stoneware
From our tableware and dinnerware collection, we have gathered stoneware products that fully display the warmth of the material. We hope that you will welcome these pieces, which are loved by people of all ages and regions, into your home.
Behind the Works of Tosen Kiln
Guide to Japanese Sake Items
