Kutani Ware, Tamahai (sake cup), Bonbonnière, Sometsuke Kinsei (underglaze blue and gold overglaze enamel), Peony, Hanamai (dancing flowers) [Pre-order Item]

[Pre-order item]

This is a pre-order item scheduled for delivery from late May to late September 2026.
Each "gyokuhai" (sake cup) is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece. Since it is rare for each piece to feature a different design, the images provided are for reference only. Please understand that the actual product will have a similar overall feel before placing your order.

[Product Description]

This gyokuhai is meticulously crafted one by one using traditional Kutani ware methods, featuring elegant and delicate fine detailing created with sometsuke (underglaze blue).
Sometsuke is a technique where cobalt-based pigment called "gosu" is directly applied to unglazed bisque ware, which is then covered with transparent glaze and fired in a kiln. A major characteristic of this technique is that once a line is drawn with gosu, it instantly soaks into the highly absorbent bisque clay, making it impossible to erase or correct. In Kutani ware, this style has been seen since the early days and is known as "Ai-Kutani."
This piece is a result of extremely high brushwork and concentration, featuring intricate floral and traditional small pattern designs drawn all over without any preliminary sketches, showcasing lively brushwork. When the lid is opened, the world of fine details drawn on the inside of both the top and bottom parts expands, further captivating the viewer.
The gyokuhai has been cherished as a sake vessel since ancient times, with the top serving as a cup and the bottom as a stand for the cup. It is also very popular as a lidded container, such as an incense container or a box, attracting many collectors.
The central design features peonies, also known as "flowers of wealth and honor" or "king of all flowers," making it a culturally auspicious motif.
Flowers have been a recurring motif in the artist's paintings for many years, and the delicate flowers dancing on the vessel convey the desire to reflect the emotion felt when observing nature or beautiful things.
Each piece is spontaneously created, and the dynamism of hand-drawing and the fact that no two pieces are exactly alike make them appealing.
This is a very beautiful vessel in the shape of a sacred jewel, said to possess mysterious powers to grant wishes, ward off evil, and ensure safety.
The highest quality molding, produced by a skilled potter with extensive technical expertise who has handled the unglazed ware for many renowned Kutani artisans, serves as the base for the painting.

■ Size (approx.): Diameter 6cm, Height 6.5cm

■ Weight (approx.): 100g

■ Material: Ceramic (pottery stone)

■ Comes in a paulownia wood box

■ Country of manufacture: Japan

Artist: Hideyo Watanabe

2012: Graduated from The Central Academy of Drama (Beijing, China)
2019: Graduated from Kutani-yaki Technical Training Institute (Ishikawa, Japan)
2020: First solo exhibition at Nihombashi Takashimaya

Studied oil painting and traditional painting in Germany and Italy,
then moved to China, where she encountered ceramics while exploring Asian art.
Currently, she creates Kutani ware and paintings in Ishikawa Prefecture, exhibiting at solo and group exhibitions, and her works are permanently displayed at Isetan Shinjuku and Kataoka Kōzan-dō, among others.

[Information on pre-order items]

• Your pre-order will be complete once you place an order from the cart.
• Payment is required upfront at the time of pre-order.
• As each item is hand-painted, there may be slight differences in design and color. We kindly ask that you place an order only if you are comfortable entrusting the fine details to the artist.
• Please note that cancellations after placing an order cannot be accepted.
• If you are ordering both in-stock and pre-order items, please add them to your cart together. We will ship according to the delivery schedule stated on each product page. In this case, shipping will be charged for one order, and the pre-order item will be shipped free of charge.
• In the unlikely event that production becomes impossible due to unforeseen circumstances, we apologize but will issue a refund.

[Care/Handling Instructions]

• This product contains gold, so please do not use electrical appliances as it is dangerous.
• As this is ceramic, there is no need for "medome" (sealing pores). Please wash with household detergent before use.

[Please understand]

• Since they are handmade, sizes and shapes may vary slightly. Weights may differ by tens of grams.


• During firing, tiny iron particles in the clay may appear on the surface, or there may be very slight indentations in the glaze (pinholes) or glaze drips. These are natural occurrences when using natural materials and crafting each piece carefully by hand. Items within the frequently occurring range of these characteristics are considered genuine products. We appreciate your understanding.