Antique Japanese Hand Painted Ceramic Sakazuki Sake Cup Birds Over Water

This is a unique antique Japanese late Taisho Era (c. 1925) sakazuki (sake cup). It has a beautiful hand painted scenic design featuring a birds (plovers) flying over water, which has the symbolic meaning in Japan of returning after a long journey.  On the bottom is the hand painted Kutani mark (see pictures 5 & 6). Kutani is widely considered the most beautiful Imari ceramic ware. On two sides there is an image of crossed pine needles.  In Japanese culture, the pine tree is known to represent longevity, good fortune and steadfastness. It is commonly linked with virtue and long life, even immortality. The pine tree is iconic of the Japanese New Year, as a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and a bright (hopeful) future.

Its size makes it the perfect sake cup for sipping your evening sake or a very elegant way to sip your evening cordial! Having been in storage for nearly a century, this sake cup remains in very fine condition. This sakazuki sake cup measures 1 7/8" in diameter by 1 1/8" tall (4.8 x 2.7 cm).