Kingfisher and Wild Grape Porcelain Plaque

A vivid blue kingfisher perches on a branch of wild grapes, its bright plumage set against leaves and fruit rendered in muted, pewter-like tones. Hand-painted by Kutani ware master Yamada Yoshiaki, this porcelain plaque captures the quiet atmosphere of early autumn in Japan, when wild grapes ripen. The artist’s carefully mixed colors and detailed brushwork give the scene its depth, while the lustrous silver fabric mat and metallic frame lend a polished finish.

This piece includes a hanging string and is well suited to a living room, study, or entryway. Bringing the artistry of Kutani ware beyond the dining table, it lends a quiet seasonal note to the home and makes a fitting gift for those who appreciate Japanese craftsmanship and the natural world.

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.