KUTANICHATAN
Decorating ceramic stamp, dusted and forgotten at the corner of the studio.
On it, depicted an old man and a Chinese boy making tea together.
Two of them had started on a journey searching for the finest tea leaves led by a bird.
Passing through a dense forest, listening roars from indigo blue waterfall, they went a mountain trail with a steep cliff on their back, and found towering peaks beyond a mist. The capricious mountain weather interrupted their path several times, but their desire for the ultimate tea leaves never ended.
When crossing the ninth valley, after a long expedition enduring many trials, they finally found a small golden tea tree on a rocky surface of a high mount. One drip of this tea flew out as golden radiance and made them bundled in a supreme bliss.
This story was painted by Kutani ware artisans. This tale of tea leaves might resonate the artisans with their pleasure which would visit them after their never ending discipline.
- KUTANICHATAN SAWA -
This is a Japanese tea set with a plate for sweets.
Put tea leaves in a tea pot, pour hot water, place a lid on, and brew it.
Cool off the temperature of the hot water for green tea like Gyokuro(superior Japanese tea), and use boiling water for Houjicha(roasted green tea). Pour heated water into teacups first to cool it off, and then add it into a teapot gently. A tea container could be used for sweets, like colorful sugar candies, konpeito.
