A rice bowl with an egret painted over milky-white hakeme (brush-stroke) marks.

An Egret with a Noble Bearing
Behind the egret, painted with a noble bearing, lie soft-toned hakeme marks that give the scene a powerful sense of presence.

A Remarkable Depth of Perspective
This remarkable depth of perspective shows why it is a traditional technique selected as intangible cultural heritage of Nagasaki Prefecture.

A Finer Moment at the Table
Imagine the many scenes drawn from the tip of the craftsman’s brush, and savour a meal raised to something special.

About Arita Ware
Arita ware is the origin of Japanese porcelain. In 1616, under the rule of the Saga domain lord Naoshige Nabeshima, pottery stone was found in what is now Saga Prefecture and production began. Because the wares were made in Arita and shipped from the port of Imari, they are also known as Imari ware. Carried to Europe by the Dutch East India Company — the only trading partner permitted during Japan’s period of national seclusion — the porcelain was called “white gold” and furnished the courts of royalty and nobility.

Why a Paulownia Box
Paulownia wood is light, resists moisture and insects, and moves with changes in humidity — which is why it has been used in Japan for centuries to store what is valuable. A piece delivered in a paulownia box arrives ready to give, and the box itself is part of the gift.

Contents and Dimensions
Rice bowl × 1, booklet, paulownia box.
Diameter: 12cm / Height: 5.2cm / Weight 140g
As each piece is handmade, slight variations in size may occur.