Little Animals Sauce Plate

Four small creatures, each considered lucky in Japan, inspire the variations of this sauce plate. The white rabbit, its eye, body, and red geometric pattern traced in thin blue lines, leaps forward as a sign of progress. A yellow tabby cat with brown stripes and a sleepy, contented face invites good fortune, and a nesting pigeon in cerulean blue stands for peace. The coral-red sea bream, or tai, echoes medetai, the Japanese word for joyous occasions. The cat and pigeon glazes show fine, intentional crackles known as kannyu.

Generous for a sauce plate, each piece can serve nuts or bite-sized appetizers as well as dipping sauces. Line up all four for a playful touch at the table.

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.