A form by Kajiken Kiln, with 250 years of history and tradition — the revival of a masterpiece that lived through the upheaval and growth of Japan in the Edo period, the last years of the shogunate, and the Meiji era.

The Auspicious Sea Bream
Countless auspicious motifs shine on the celebratory form of the sea bream: Arita ware of the very finest kind is here. Against a crimson seigaiha ground, pine, bamboo and plum are painted in genuine gold and many colours, making a deeply auspicious design.

Seigaiha, the Wave Pattern
Seigaiha is a pattern that shows waves in the form of fans. It carries the wish that one’s days may go on like gentle waves.

Shochikubai — Pine, Bamboo and Plum
Shochikubai has meant long life without age since ancient times. The pine, being evergreen, means longevity; the bamboo, supple and unbroken even under snow, stands for strength; the plum, flowering in winter, was held to be a symbol of vitality.

A Gift for Celebration
As an auspicious gift for a celebration, JTOPIA’s plates have long been well received.

Entirely Hand-Painted, One of a Kind
Every plate we handle is a one-off, painted entirely by hand without transfers.

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.

Shochikubai
Shochikubai — pine, bamboo and plum — has signified long life and good fortune since ancient times: the pine evergreen, the bamboo unbroken under snow, the plum flowering in winter.

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, paulownia box, booklet.
Height: 6cm W: 30cm L: 18cm
As each piece is handmade, slight variations in size may occur.