Ikkanbari Sun and Moon Soup Bowl with Lid
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This lidded bowl is a reproduction of Kitaoji Rosanjin’s iconic soup bowl, completed in 1923 in collaboration with second-generation Tsuji Sekisai, a Yamanaka lacquerware artisan. Large circles of gold and silver represent the sun and moon, giving the bowl its name.
The wooden base is turned to a fine thickness, then covered with Japanese paper adhered using lacquer in the ikkanbari technique. Multiple coats of lacquer are applied, with each coat added after the previous one has dried, creating a remarkably light yet durable construction.
Gold and silver leaf from Kanazawa form the circular motifs across the lid and body. Gold represents the sun and yang, while silver represents the moon and yin. Their differing reflections bring subtle changes to the design with the light.
Soup bowls were traditionally decorated with motifs associated with the seasons, but Rosanjin is said to have chosen the sun and moon so that this bowl could be used regardless of the season and cherished for years to come. This exceptional work reflects Rosanjin’s commitment to creating an entirely new form of beauty while building on Japan’s longstanding artistic traditions.
Today, fifth-generation Tsuji Sekisai continues to reproduce this historic work using techniques passed down through the Tsuji family.
DETAILS
| Quantity | 1 pc |
| Size | D 12.8 cm (5.0 in) x H 12 cm (4.7 in) Wooden Box L 15.5 cm (6.1 in) x W 15.5 cm (6.1 in) x H 11.2 cm (4.4 in) |
| Weight | 158 g (5.6 oz) |
| Material | Wood, Lacquer |
| Package Type | Wooden box |
Maker / Brand
Founded in 1840 in Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture, Tsuji Sekisai is a lacquerware maker with a history spanning five generations. The family specializes in traditional Yamanaka lacquerware techniques, mainly producing tea utensils and tableware.
Tsuji Sekisai is particularly known for its close association with Kitaoji Rosanjin, the celebrated artist and gastronome. Their collaboration brought together Rosanjin’s distinctive designs and the Tsuji family’s craftsmanship, resulting in a number of notable works.
Crafts
Yamanaka lacquerware, also known as Yamanaka Shikki, is a kind of lacquerware produced in the Yamanaka Onsen district of Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture. This lacquerware is unique in that it blends wood grain's natural elegance with the elegant maki-e technique of sprinkling gold, silver, or other colored powder onto a lacquer painting.
With its beautiful wood texture, delicate and robust Yamanaka lacquerware incorporates a modern sense of design while inheriting a tradition that has lasted for 400 years.
How to Care
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Soup Bowls
Japanese soup bowls, sized to rest comfortably in your hand, can be sipped from directly or paired with chopsticks or spoons. Whether enjoying hearty miso soup or delicate Japanese clear soup, the warm, nutritious broth aids digestion and enriches your meal. Choose from materials like wood or porcelain to curate the perfect atmosphere at your table.
Rosanjin
Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883–1959) was an artist who forged his own path across calligraphy, painting, ceramics, and lacquer. He was also a highly discerning gourmet. He cooked, ran a restaurant, and shaped with his own hands the pieces suited to his cuisine. His words, “Tableware is the kimono of food,” reflect his belief that food is complete only when presented in the right vessel.
The makers in this collection keep his designs alive through utsushi, the practice of learning from a master by recreating his work and bringing it into daily life. Some workshops have a direct connection with Rosanjin himself. Others have faithfully reproduced his originals, drawing on pieces held in museums and other archives.
None of these wares were made to sit on a shelf. Each one is waiting for a meal to bring it to life. Cherished and handed down through generations, they allow Rosanjin’s aesthetic to live on.
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