Bird and Botanicals Square Side Plate

This square side plate is hand-painted by Kutani ware artist Yamada Yoshiaki, whose works reflect the changing seasons through detailed depictions of birds and nature. Building upon the traditional Kutani five-color palette, he has developed his own fresh color expressions, paired with meticulous brushwork carried through to the finest details. Available in five variations, each plate depicts a different scene of birds among branches, blossoms, leaves, or fruit, creating compositions rich in seasonal character. An earthy brown border frames the design and lends subtle definition to the clean square form.

Well suited for salads, appetizers, sashimi, or small servings shared at the table, this plate offers versatility for everyday dining. The balanced design pairs naturally with both Japanese and Western-style settings, while the spacious square form provides an elegant presentation for plated dishes. Suitable for everyday use or thoughtful gifting, it brings seasonal beauty to the table.

Yamada Yoshiaki

Yamada Yoshiaki is regarded as one of the leading contemporary masters of the ko-Kutani painting style, celebrated for works that capture the quiet beauty of nature. 

Over the course of more than fifty years, Yamada has developed a distinctive style rooted in gosai, the traditional five-color palette of Kutani ware, while expanding it through his own fresh and refined sense of color. His works are admired for their meticulously detailed painting, elegant compositions, and masterful use of negative space, often featuring delicate botanical imagery and birdlife rendered on white porcelain. 

Kutani ware is a traditional Japanese porcelain from the Kaga region in Ishikawa Prefecture, with a history spanning over 350 years. Known for its vibrant overglaze enamel designs and use of five signature colors, known as Kutani gosai—navy blue, red, purple, green, and yellow pigments. This timeless craft has continuously evolved through generations of artisans who balance innovation with a deep respect for tradition. 

Kutani ware exhibits a diverse range of distinctive styles, shaped by evolving artistic tastes over the centuries. Styles such as ko-Kutani, with its bold colors, geometric patterns, and painterly detail, and akae-saibyo, marked by ultra-fine red lines. Many pieces feature traditional Japanese motifs, such as kacho (flowers and birds) and sansui (landscapes), offering a timeless glimpse into the beauty of nature and the seasons.