Against a profound iron glaze, a golden dragon is in motion. The lavish gold dragon draws the eye and gives the plate a bearing of depth.

The Dragon
The dragon is a creature of legend, treated as a divine beast, a great spirit, and in China as the symbol of the emperor. Japanese painting too has many powerful dragon works. The dragon was revered as a god of water, and held to be a symbol of strength that amplifies aspiration and a forward-looking heart.

Entirely Hand-Painted, One of a Kind
Every decorative plate we handle is a one-off, painted entirely by hand without transfers. It comes with a special paulownia box bearing the artist’s inscription.

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.

What Is Tenmoku?
Tenmoku is a family of dark iron glazes that came to Japan from China and has been prized in the tea world for centuries. Yuteki tenmoku — oil-spot tenmoku — takes its name from the crystals that surface during firing and scatter across the black glaze like drops of oil on water. Several such bowls are designated National Treasures of Japan.

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
Decorative plate × 1, wooden tag × 1, turmeric-dyed cloth, paulownia box, booklet.
Height: 2.7cm Diameter: 19cm
As each piece is handmade, slight variations in size may occur.