This bowl is a great example of the excellence of the hand-painted design called Shippou Tsunagi. The pattern of two connecting rings, called wachigai, is repeated in four directions, so the kanji character “shiho-tsunagi”, meaning "connecting in four directions" was used to describe this design. This kanji (四方) can also be read as “Shippou”, which is the same as the reading of the kanji 七宝, meaning Seven Treasures as a reference to precious stones in Buddhism. Because of the geometric flow effect of the intersecting circles, this pattern was used to symbolize endless peace and happiness.

The wall of the bowls and cups themselves have vertical dents, and the pattern was painted so that it would not be distorted by the unevenness of the porcelain. Although it is often thought that the lines are first painted with gold and then filled in with color, it is actually the other way around, making it an extremely difficult design to create. They color the piece first and then paint the border with gold after firing due to the different firing temperatures.

The radial shape from the base to the mouth rim is breathtaking. The number of circles around the side of the bowl does not change, so each circle becomes larger and larger as it moves closer up to the top rim.

The texture is light and elegant, typical of Kiyomizu pottery. The inner surface of the bowl is painted dark and contrasting. This beautifully crafted, elegant set adds a touch of luxury to any meal.

Kyo or Kiyomizu pottery looks back on 400 years of history and is now a symbol of Kyoto. To serve the desire of Aristocrats, tea masters, and culinary specialists of the era, Kyo or Kiyomizu pottery has incorporated design and artistry not only from Japan but also from China and the Korean Peninsula. Even up to now exquisite artistry and excellent craftsmanship are core qualities of Kyo ware: each piece is modeled and decorated carefully by hand.

Place of origin: Kyoto Prefecture, Japan