Signs of Celebration Square Sauce Plate

This 9 cm square plate comes in five variations, each showing a motif that brings good wishes to Japanese celebrations. The treasure boat, or takarabune, is the ship of riches said to sail in at New Year, and the shishimai lion dance is performed at festivals to drive away misfortune. The other designs carry the same hope for luck, from an arrow hitting its target to a charming oni and a “full house” envelope, given when a business, performance, or event attracts a large crowd or achieves exceptional success.

Vermilion dots mark the corners, and an earthy brown rim frames each design. Pick a motif to suit the occasion, such as the lion dance for New Year or the arrow for someone starting a new job. The plate suits soy sauce, pickles, or a sweet served with tea.

Soukyu Kiln

Soukyu Kiln is a Kutani ware studio in Nomi, Ishikawa Prefecture, established in 2017. Ceramic artist Sakurai Chie and her husband run the kiln together.

Their work centers on gosai, the five traditional Kutani colors of red, blue, yellow, navy blue and purple. Using paints they blend themselves, they return each piece to the kiln as many times as it takes for the colors to settle as intended. The finished surfaces are vivid, clear and glossy, and they carry the warmth of work done by hand.

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.