Kutani Ware For S'ake
Here is a page devoted to Kutani pottery/ceramics. All items below from my collection. Click on image for more detail.
Below: In addition to hibachi, I collect (modestly) Kutani ware, mostly older pieces pre-Showa, preferring Taisho and late Meiji pieces, as Ko-Kutani (early Kutani) is very rare and much too expensive. Below are some decorative sa'ke flasks (Tokkuri) from the Taisho period, a sample of sa'ke cups in a typical Kutani style, and three representative Kutani pieces used to rinse cups, probably intended as export pieces. These are called 'Haisen' in Japanese. They look like a dish or bowl, about 3-4 inches deep, and in use are filled with hot water. The dish base is hollow, allowing some insulating properties. When a Sa'ke cup is used, and then passed to a friend, it is customarily rinsed first in the Haisen. On the far left is a late Meiji era haisen, in the middle a characteristic Taisho period design, and on the right, a middle Showa period piece (I think...). All pieces have designs inside as well, as Sa'ke is a clear liquid, and enjoyment of the design when rinsing the cup is an added pleasure. Click on each image for a very detailed view. Click to enlarge images.
Flasks (Tokkuri)
Sa'ke Cups:
Immediately below is a red Kutani incense burner, Meiji period, approximately 10" high, three legged, with red, white, enamel and gold motif. This represents one of the best example of red Kutani ware from the Meiji era, and is of museum quality. Front and rear views. These images are appropriately sized, so should not take long to load.
