Japanese Kutani Art

Description

Beautiful Kutani Japanese sake cup (guinomi in Japanese).  Kutani-ware has been produced in Japan for over 300 years within remote villages of the ‘nine valleys’ (Kutani means nine valleys) region of Kaga province in Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture (please see map below).  Noted for it’s fine brush work and ivory-colored porcelain, Kutani kilns have produced some of Japan’s finest ceramic art through generations of refined production.  Though the actual origins of Kutani-ware are uncertain, we know that the kilns of the nine valleys were long supported through the patronage of the powerful Maeda clan who were the hereditary rulers of the region.

About the Listed Item

This splendid Kutani porcelain sake cup features the hand-painted image of Daruma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism.  Please read below to learn more about the history and legend of Daruma.  The Kutani mark can be seen on the underside of the cup.  This sake cup was made during the mid to late Japanese Showa period (1926-1989) and is in good condition with no chips, cracks or large scratches though it does have some minor marks, stains and blemishes from handling and age.  The cup was acquired in the beautiful and historic city of Shizuoka, Japan near the foot of Mt. Fuji.  Click here to see additional high-quality Kutani ceramic items available for purchase from our eBay store The Old Tokaido or click here to see more sake cups!

Size:
Height: 1.1 inches (2.8 centimeters)
Diameter: 2.0 inches (5.2 centimeters)
Weight: 0.7 ounces (21 grams)

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More about Daruma

“Life falls down seven times, yet gets up eight…”  This popular Japanese proverb is commonly associated with the Indian Buddhist sage Daruma.  Daruma is the more familiar name of the historical Buddhist monk Bodhidarma, who lived sometime during the fifth or sixth century AD.  Daruma is credited with the founding of the Zen sect of Buddhism, which he is reputed to have introduced into China during his travels there.  Some of the legends surrounding this figure include tales that he achieved enlightenment or satori only after meditating in a cave for seven years without blinking or moving his eyes.  Another story tells that his enlightenment occurred within a temple in China where he spent his seven years sitting in a room staring at a wall.  Apparently at some point during his long meditation Daruma became so overcome with fatigue that he cut off his eyelids in anger and tossed them to the ground.  These are reputed to have then sprouted into China’s first green tea plants!  It is said that Daruma’s long meditation caused his arms and legs to wither and fall off, leaving him as an armless, legless and eyelidless (yet enlightened) Bodhidarma…  The Japanese love this story and admire Daruma for his spirit and determination, and each new year many Japanese will buy a paper-mache Daruma tumbler doll in order to enlist its services in helping them persevere towards their own goals or achievements.  The dolls are sold with unpainted eyes, allowing the new owner to paint in one eye to symbolize the start of a new goal or venture.  The doll is then placed in a prominent place within the home or at work in order to remind the owner to keep after their aim.  Japanese students especially utilize Daruma to motivate them with their studies; placing a one-eyed Daruma before them on their desk as motivation to work hard and make the grade.  Only after the goal is achieved will the owner then paint in the second eye, symbolizing a realized goal.  Daruma dolls which have completed their jobs as perseverance role models are normally then brought to a temple to be burned during special ceremonies set aside for this purpose.  The last images below are various representations of Daruma found at a Zen temple near our home in Japan.

More about Japanese sake and sake utensils

Sake has long been an important part of Japanese culture.  In the past, sake was considered a very special item, reserved for only the most important occasions, such as weddings, birth celebrations and other auspicious events.  Sake was considered a sacred drink, and accordingly the first glass poured was always offered to the gods before the remainder could be shared among the celebrants.  Sake can be served either warm or cold and special sake flasks are used to both prepare and dispense this unique Japanese drink.  Sake is warmed either by immersing the flask (already filled with sake of course) into warm water until the desired temperature is reached or through the use of a special sake kettle called a choshi.  The latter method however, though common in old Japan, is today usually reserved for ceremonial events only.  Over time, sake utensils, such as cups have developed their own ritual significance which is still evident in modern Japan.  For example, it is today common at Japanese engagement parties for the man and woman to exchange sake cups as a sign of their mutual intent to marry.  Very beautiful sake cups are also given away to celebrate the birth of a child, as these cherished items are considered symbolic of the significance of the new parent-child relationship.  Though normally small in size, sake cups and flasks have long been used in Japan as a medium for the expression of art and calligraphy.  Hand-painted cups and flasks are highly collectable both within and outside Japan and are eagerly sought after by collectors who value their utilitarian nature and artistic splendor.

item code: R3S6B1R3-0003470
category code: SAKECUP
ship code: L2160