Japanese medium bowl with blue pattern

A medium bowl in white porcelain, to choose from four traditional blue patterns.

Ichimatsu: an ultramarine blue and white checkerboard, inside and out. It is named after Sanogawa Ichimatsu, an 18th-century kabuki actor who wore it on his costume. Its endlessly repeating squares symbolise prosperity.

Asanoha: interlocking stars that cover the bowl inside and out. They reproduce the hemp leaf, a pattern also found in sashiko embroidery. In Japan, it symbolises growth and good health.

Diamonds: a fine blue lattice of diamonds, each marked with a small dot in the centre. This regular pattern, inspired by Japanese textiles, goes easily with plain or decorated tableware.

Ajiro: a criss-cross pattern that imitates the weaving of bamboo or cypress, used in Japan for baskets and the ceilings of traditional houses. The fine, regular decoration continues inside.

All four bowls have the same shape: 15.4 cm in diameter and 7.1 cm high. It is a medium bowl, between a rice bowl and a ramen bowl.

They come from Hasami, in Nagasaki Prefecture, one of the great centres of everyday Japanese porcelain.

For rice, soups or noodles. Made in Japan.

Highlights

• Four patterns: ichimatsu, asanoha, diamonds or ajiro, all blue on white.
• Meaningful patterns: prosperity for the checkerboard, growth and health for asanoha.
• Medium size: 15.4 cm, for rice, soups or noodles.
• Mix and match: same shape and size, for a varied blue and white table.
• Hasami porcelain: a major centre of Japanese tableware.

Product information

• Type: medium bowl
• Material: porcelain
• Origin: made in Japan (Hasami, Nagasaki Prefecture)
• Dimensions: Ø 15.4 cm, height 7.1 cm
• Colours: blue and white
• Pattern of your choice: ichimatsu (checkerboard), asanoha (hemp leaf), diamonds, ajiro (weave)
• Finish: glazed
• Presentation: sold individually
• Style: traditional Japanese

How to use

Udon soup, a topped rice bowl or a salad: its medium size suits many meals. Choose a different pattern for each guest, so everyone recognises their bowl.

As for care, these porcelain bowls are dishwasher and microwave safe.

Frequently asked questions

Are the four bowls the same size?

Yes, they have the same shape and dimensions; only the pattern changes.

Where does the name ichimatsu come from?

From Sanogawa Ichimatsu, an 18th-century kabuki actor who wore this checkerboard on his costume.