Posted 5 years ago
truthordare
(368 items)
It did not occur to me right away that the rabbit or hare was symbolic and part of the Japanese celebrations for the Fall harvest. The fact it is red and not white also has some meaning, but I was not able to find out why, except it is a more powerful image.
The little sauce dishes are part of the Japanese traditional table setting as they love adding tasty side dishes to their main course, such as fish sauce, soya sauce, pickles, hot sauce, fresh ginger, salty fermented black bean sauce, etc.
The style of these ceramic pieces is unusual with a grainy dark brown surface, a smooth painted yellow enamel ring and a red hare on white porcelain disc in the center.
The base is marked with an imprint of the 2 character Kutani mark.
Age does not seem to be very old, hard to say. Still they represent the Japanese artistic love of contrast, and spare decorations. Which I also find pleasing.
Ooh what a beautiful rabbit image, it appears to be floating, love it! The dishes are also lovely
Cute dishes!
Very sweet, reminds me of an illustration in some fairy tale books!
Would appreciate knowing the width and the height/depth of these bowls. Many thanks.
Gillian width is in the title 4 inches. Depth not available yet. Thank for the comment and the love.
Lauren, I also think it's a fairy tale rabbit in the moon, a Japanese one. I was surprised that these Asian tales were also published in English for the Western market. Thank you for the comment and the love.
Thanks Mrstyndall, always appreciate your comment and love.
Thanks Jenni, you are a great addition to the CW family. Appreciate your positive attitude and support for a lot of us.
What a great set, Lisa! They are so well done...
Thank you Kevin.
My name is in Kevin
Vynil, reply for kwqd, terrible at names, I have seen yours somewhere I think.....
In any case thanks for the loves, always appreciated.
The rabbit is of course one of the 12 zodiacal animals, but I think (as you say) this little fellow refers specifically to Tsukimi, the Japanese autumn moon-viewing festival, with which the rabbit is associated. For one thing, your rabbit is silhouetted against a white disc. Autumn is also indicated by the little curved lines and dots behind the rabbit. In Japanese this is tsuyu-shiba, a stylized representation of dewdrops on autumn grasses.
These are lovely little dishes. I can imagine the delight of someone gradually "uncovering" the rabbit as they finish the meal :)
rhineisfine,
That is excellent information was not aware of, thank you so much. I am the sign of the hare, but felt these were representing something else, and I did find the folklore story of the red rabbit in the moon. Did not know about the Autumn Festival and the meaning of the design behind the rabbit.
Will enjoy these even more, as they are so original and rare.