Arita Ware Bunzan Mug - Hand-Painted Blue Peony with Gold Accents

A hand-painted Arita-ware mug — cobalt blue peony with gold accents — made at Bunzan Kiln in Arita, Saga prefecture, where Japanese porcelain has been made for over 400 years.

Bunzan Kiln (文山窯, established 1953) is one of the working kilns in Arita, the town in Saga prefecture (Kyushu) where Japanese porcelain began in the early 1600s. The kiln uses Amakusa pottery stone, the foundational raw material of Arita porcelain, and decorates with the icchin technique — raised lines of slip glaze piped on by hand, like fine icing on a cake.

The peony (botan) is the king of flowers in Japanese culture, a symbol of beauty, grace and prosperity. Here it's painted in cobalt blue with gold leaf detailing on the petal edges.

What's good about it

• Hand-painted blue peony with gold accents, raised icchin technique
• Lightweight, durable Amakusa-stone porcelain
• Comfortable handle; food-safe; dishwasher safe
• Comes in its own gift box
• By Bunzan Kiln (est. 1953), Arita, Saga prefecture

Specifications

• Material: Arita porcelain (Amakusa stone)
• Type: Mug with handle
• Design: Hand-painted blue peony with gold accents (icchin technique)
• Kiln: Bunzan Kiln (文山窯)
• Origin: Arita, Saga prefecture, Japan
• Packaging: Gift box included

Handmade in Arita, Japan.