Kotobuki Kutani Sake Cup, Rabbit and Moon, Red

Description

Kutani ware is one of the most famous types of ceramic ware in Japan, and dates back to the 17th century. The porcelain style is known for its bold colors of reds, greens, purples, blues, and yellows, used to create ornate designs depicting landscapes, flowers, birds, and cultural artifacts and scenes. This sake cup depicts a rabbit hopping on moonlit waves. Although many depictions of rabbits exist in folklore around the world, this Japanese combination is quite unusual. The motif originated from ancient Japanese folkore in which a white rabbit crosses the ocean by using the backs of sharks as stepping stones, and thus appears to be running over the tops of waves. Popular folkore also tells the tale of the "rabbit in the moon", in which the silhouette of a rabbit can be seen pounding mochi (rice cakes) on the moon's surface.