Vines of Old Imari
Ko-Imari marks the golden age of Japanese export porcelain, when kilns in the Edo period supplied courts and merchant houses as far as Europe. This small cup brings that era to life with a hand-painted karakusa scrolling-vine pattern in shaded cobalt on the exterior. This pattern is an auspicious motif of unbroken growth, softened by generations of use.
Garlands in Gold
The 24K gold restoration falls from the rim in draped arcs, resembling garlands hung across the painted vines. Inside, the lines branch over the plain white glaze, and one seam ends in a gold drop near the center of the well. Lacquer artist Rio Hashimoto restored the cup over four months using natural urushi and 24K gold. The seams were brought to roiro, the highest polish grade, using methods refined across centuries of Japanese lacquer practice.
A Hidden Gold Drop
When empty, the cup displays its garlands on the outside. When filled, the last sip reveals a small gold drop resting at the bottom of the white well—a detail reserved for the person who drinks from it. Its next custodian joins a sequence of hands—Edo painter, generations of daily use, lacquer artist—that preserves Ko-Imari's sometsuke porcelain and the tradition of authentic kintsugi using natural urushi.
