Ash-Blue Botanical Set of 6 — Kyoto

Chrysanthemum, dahlia, scrolling vine. In Maeda Asami’s porcelain the shape of the piece is itself the flower. The lines are drawn in itchin — slip squeezed from a dropper — and come out as fine as lacework.

A white with blue in it. Six pieces, all in ash-blue glaze and blue-white porcelain: plates, bowls, a cup, and a vase. One person’s table, complete.

What is in the set (6 pieces)

• Blue-White Porcelain Foliate Arabesque Plate, Medium — approx. 17 × 17 × 2.5cm
• Chrysanthemum Ash-Blue Glaze Bowl, 12cm — approx. 12cm diameter × 2.5cm high
• Chrysanthemum Ash-Blue Glaze Small Bowl — approx. 9cm diameter × 2.5cm high
• Ash-Blue Glaze Coffee Cup — approx. 10cm diameter × 7.5cm high
• Dahlia Ash-Blue Glaze Tiny Mame Plate — approx. 7cm diameter × 1cm high
• Rock Faceted Porcelain Vase — approx. 8.5 × 9.5 × 4.5cm

The 12cm bowl sits in the palm and has just enough depth for simmered or vinegared dishes. Set short-cut flowers on the faceted vase and they look as though they are growing out of stone.

About the maker

Kyoto | Maeda Asami, jiucasca

Porcelain that comes out of the palms of the hands, each piece quietly colouring a table and easing the person at it — like a faint, merciful rain. The studio name jiucasca is taken from that rain.

After a long dry season the rain soaks into the ground drop by drop and brings it back to life; Maeda Asami put into the name the wish that a piece of pottery does the same for a table. Every line is drawn by hand in itchin — slip squeezed from a dropper — which is why the pattern comes out as fine as lacework. A jiucasca piece sits at the edge of the table and brings a graceful moment to an ordinary day: not simply tableware, but a small work of art made by hand.

Every line is drawn by hand, so no two pieces carry quite the same pattern.

See everything by Maeda Asami