Nakamura Toshito Kutani Guinomi "Kaigun Suzume", Ring of Sparrows

A Kutani sake cup by Nakamura Toshito, painted all the way round with plump sparrows lined up on a perch.

Nakamura Toshito of the Toshi kiln is a certified traditional craftsman (dentō kōgeishi) with selections and prizes at traditional craft exhibitions, and sparrows are his signature subject; he says he paints them so that the viewer's heart is warmed a little. On this cup, a whole flock circles the form, each bird drawn finely enough to look almost three-dimensional. In Japan the sparrow is a lucky emblem of abundant harvest and family prosperity. The cup carries the Kutani gold label: body clay from Ishikawa Prefecture, decorated in the Kutani district.

Details

• Artist: Nakamura Toshito (中村陶志人), Toshi kiln, Kutani
• Title: Kaigun suzume-zu (回群雀図), K9-2033
• Material: porcelain
• Size: approx. 6.7 cm diameter × 5.5 cm high
• Box: paulownia box with cord (桐箱紐通し)
• Condition: new

Watch: how Kutani porcelain is painted

A TEWAZA craft film showing Kutani ware techniques, from Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square. (A general craft video — not this piece or maker.)

Please read before ordering

• Limited availability. We confirm availability with the dealer in Japan within one business day of your order; if it has sold we refund in full immediately.
• Ships from New Jersey in 2–3 weeks. Price includes all import duties. Fully insured, signature required.
• Professionally double-boxed for shipping.