[Bien Festival] Lucky Choko (sake cups)

As a gift from the Bien Festival, we gave out Kutani-yaki "engi choko" (lucky sake cups).

Which pattern did you get?

There are ten patterns in all. If you and someone else have the same pattern, you might just be connected by the red thread of fate??

"Yoshidaya-fu Aoi" YOSHIDAYAFUAOI

The tachiaoi (hollyhock) that stands tall and blooms has a stem that grows high, so it carries the meaning of "noble beauty full of dignity." The Yoshidaya style is said to be the style that most directly carries on the Old Kutani tradition.

"Sayagata Karako" SAYAGATAKARAKO

The sayagata is a pattern of linked swastika (manji) shapes, used since ancient times as an auspicious motif in all sorts of decoration. The lively figures of the karako (Chinese children) are also an auspicious motif.

"Maneki-neko" MANEKINEKO

A cat raising its right paw is said to invite money, and one raising its left paw invites people (customers). A white maneki-neko in particular is said to summon good fortune.

"Takarazukushi" TAKARATSUKUSHI

Treasures such as the lucky mallet, cloves, the straw hat of invisibility, the straw cloak of invisibility, treasure keys, scrolls, the sacred jewel, the money pouch, shippo (cloisonné), and weights are turned into patterns — a traditional Japanese design wishing for good fortune and the beckoning of happiness.

"Umekiku Moyo" UMEKIKUMOYOU

The plum, which blooms earlier than all others, is regarded as a symbol of "life force" and considered auspicious. The chrysanthemum is praised as the "king of all herbs" and is one of the most noble and auspicious flowers.

"Banreki Gosai-ryu" BANREKIGOSARYU

Banreki gosai (Wanli wucai) is a painting style fired at Jingdezhen during China's Ming dynasty. In feng shui, the dragon is said to hold the strongest energy and, alongside the phoenix, is known as a mystical and auspicious symbol.

"Oshidori" OSHIDORI

The mandarin duck, from the way pairs stay together, is a motif symbolizing harmony between couples and spouses. The "shippo pattern" in the background, with its endlessly continuous links, is also considered auspicious.

"Usagi" USAGI

The rabbit leaping represents proactive drive and a leap forward. It has also long been called the messenger of the moon and is believed to be an auspicious animal that "brings luck" (tsuki).

"Marumon Takaramon" MARUMONTAKARAMON

A very celebratory design in which various auspicious motifs — maneki-neko, treasure ship, plum, sea bream, and daruma — are drawn within round crests. It's characterized by the gorgeous coloring typical of Kutani-yaki.

"Aka-Fuji" AKAFUJI

Red Fuji, which can only be glimpsed for an instant, is considered extremely auspicious, a good motif for business prosperity and luck. Red is an auspicious color that draws in good fortune.

A couple who attended the Bien Festival,

by sheer coincidence, both the husband and wife had the oshidori (mandarin duck) pattern.

A lovely "oshidori" couple, indeed.

Connections are carried to us by people.

To everyone who gave us these connections, thank you.

I sincerely pray that good fortune finds each of you.