{"product_id":"arita-blue-gold-cup-saucer-set","title":"Arita Imari Blue \u0026 Gold Kinrande Chrysanthemum Cup \u0026 Saucer (Tokukō, 150 ml)","description":"\u003ch3\u003eArita Imari Blue \u0026amp; Gold Kinrande Chrysanthemum Coffee Cup \u0026amp; Saucer — Hand-Painted by Tokukō (徳幸)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA hand-painted Arita-yaki \/ Hasami-yaki coffee\/tea cup and saucer set in the high-tier 金襴手 (kinrande, “gold brocade”) tradition — a deep cobalt blue underglaze sometsuke (染付) ground covered in extensive overglaze gold leaf, with the named motif 菊華紋 (kikka-mon, chrysanthemum-cluster rosettes) repeated six-plus times around the cup body and ringing the saucer rim, joined by continuous gold karakusa 唐草 scrolling vines. The 8-lobe scalloped (輪花 rinka) rim is finished with lotus-petal cartouches filled with a fine white-on-gold 七宝 shippō reticulated dot pattern, framed by hair-line kinsai gold trim. Made by Tokukō (徳幸) kiln in Saga Prefecture, presented in its branded navy くらしの器 keshōbako — and carries the Arita-yaki cooperative 美術 (bijutsu \/ “art-tier”) authentication sticker on the saucer underside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMade by\u003c\/strong\u003e Tokukō \/ Nanpu \/ Arita-yaki \u0026amp; Hasami-yaki in Saga Prefecture, Japan, curated by ZenKiln\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌼 The motif — Kikka 菊華 (Chrysanthemum-Cluster)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chrysanthemum (kiku) is the imperial flower of Japan — adopted by the imperial household in the early Kamakura period and still featured on the 16-petal Imperial Seal today. As a decorative motif, it symbolises longevity, nobility, perfection, and the autumnal season. The kikka-mon repeated-rosette composition is among the most elaborate and gold-intensive of all Imari decoration patterns; this piece carries six full chrysanthemum rosettes around the cup body and matching rosettes ringing the saucer rim. The continuous gold karakusa (唐草) vines connecting the rosettes is itself a symbol of eternity, growth, and perseverance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🎨 Why this is Kinrande (金襴手) — Gold-Brocade Imari (blue-ground variant)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKinrande, literally “gold brocade hand”, is the high-tier 17th-century Arita technique that applied gold leaf and gold-line decoration over a coloured ground — originally developed in Arita as a chinoiserie response to Ming-Wanli gold-decorated porcelains. The blue-ground variant of kinrande (this piece) places the gold over a deep cobalt blue underglaze sometsuke 染付 base — technically distinct from the red-ground variant, which uses overglaze akae 赤絵 vermillion as ground. The cobalt blue is fired beneath the glaze in a single high-fire; the overglaze gold + small mori-age white slip dots are added in a lower-temperature second firing. Tokukō kiln continues this layered tradition today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e☕ At the table\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall espresso, espresso lungo, ristretto, or macchiato (150 mL is generous for espresso, restrained for filter coffee)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJapanese 紅茶 (kōcha \/ black tea) — the form is the traditional Japanese kōchawan (紅茶碗皿)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA petite afternoon-tea or wagashi pairing cup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA statement collector’s display piece — pairs naturally with Old Imari (古伊万里), other Arita kinrande, and blue-and-white sometsuke pieces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🎁 Gift-ready \u0026amp; sister product\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShips in its branded navy くらしの器 keshōbako (化粧箱) with brand card (cream cursive script + red 有田焼 stamp) — gift-ready as bought. A natural gift for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoffee and tea ritualists\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHostess and housewarming gifts, corporate gifting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeddings, anniversaries, engagements, graduations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFather’s Day and seasonal table styling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOld Imari \/ Arita \/ Kutani \/ Japanese tableware collectors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA matching \u003ca href=\"\/en-gb\/products\/arita-red-gold-chrysanthemum-cup-saucer-set\"\u003ered-ground sister\u003c\/a\u003e (錦赤地金彩菊華紋 — vermillion akae background, same kikka-mon kinrande motif, same Tokukō kiln, identical 9 × 6.5 cm cup \/ 15 cm saucer \/ 150 mL) is available separately — perfect as a pair for a his-and-hers table setting or as a wedding gift.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZenKiln","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47487586402534,"sku":"ZK-CUPSAUC-NANPU-KJK10607","price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/5392\/5350\/files\/il_fullxfull.7582319806_k9n8.jpg?v=1774622235","url":"https:\/\/zen-kiln.com\/en-gb\/products\/arita-blue-gold-cup-saucer-set","provider":"ZenKiln","version":"1.0","type":"link"}