A meoto pair of rice bowls with egrets painted over milky-white hakeme (brush-stroke) marks.
Egrets with a Noble BearingBehind the egrets, painted with a noble bearing, lie soft-toned
hakeme marks that give the scene a powerful sense of presence. 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 TableImagine the many scenes drawn from the tip of the craftsman’s brush, and savour a meal raised to something special.
A Gift for a Long LifeWith a form you will never tire of and a refined composition, these bowls grace the table with quiet elegance — a popular choice as a gift to celebrate longevity.
About Arita WareArita 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.
What Is a Meoto Pair?A
meoto pair is a set of two vessels intended to be used together by two people, most often a couple. In Japan it is a long-standing form of gift for a wedding, an anniversary, or a new home — the pair itself carries the wish.
Why a Paulownia BoxPaulownia 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 DimensionsRice bowl × 2, booklet, paulownia box.
Diameter: 12cm / Height: 5.2cm / Weight 140g
As each piece is handmade, slight variations in size may occur.