MOMIJI no GA (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)

(Please note: Because this item is made-to-order, it takes approximately 3 weeks from the time you order this item until the date it is shipped from Kyoto, Japan. Once ordered, any order change or cancel can NOT be accepted. If you order this item with other items, they will be shipped together.)

The Tale of Genji is one of the oldest novels in the world. Written by noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu of the Japanese Imperial Court, this novel is composed of 54 stories and more than 800 WAKA Japanese poems.
The work recounts the life of Hikaru Genji, from his birth to death, and afterward. Through the book, Murasaki describes the life of aristocracy, romance in the Imperial Court, and political disputes. She expertly portrays the internal emotion and expression of each character of her novel.
We, Hibiki-an have collaborated with Zenshoh Yamaoka, who is the leading expert of paintings derived from masterpieces in the middle ages and acclaimed Kyo Yaki artisan, to release a series of Matcha bowls featuring the Tale of Genji. Zenshoh Yamaoka selected 12 stories out of 54, one suitable for each month of the year, arranged by season. (Tale of Genji - Matcha Bowl page)

Zenshoh Yamaoka expresses luxury and elegance in the palace, the secrets of human nature in each scene, and WABI-SABI aesthetic during this time, by making full use of various techniques. For example, in order to portray the gorgeous scenes of the Imperial Court, he uses luxurious gold to paint clouds, Japanese traditional cloth KIMONO, auspicious ornaments and so forth. This effect characterizes the affluent lifestyle of the Japanese Imperial Court during this period and makes the Matcha bowl brilliant. Clouds are one of the key features of the bowl. Clouds are frequently used in Japanese traditional painting to separate and define space and time. The use of golden clouds makes this Matcha bowl bright and luxurious.

MOMIJI means autumn red leaves and GA means congratulations or ceremony in Japanese. The painting on the Matcha bowl is about Hikaru Genji's dance in front of his father who is the Emperor and his mother-in-law. He danced in the garden of the palace gracefully, and his elegant and divine dance attracted many people in the palace, and some of them had tears in their eyes.
The main feature of this Matcha bowl is the dance of Hikaru Genji. Zenshoh Yamaoka describes his dance elegantly and dynamically with a graceful touch. Depiction of Hikaru Genji is the focal point. His dignified face is quite attractive, and the soft flowing line of his silk KIMONO shows that he is dancing light as air. Expression of KIMONO design which is colorful floral pattern on the white cloth and gold dust on the black cloth characterize the magnificence of life in the palace at that time. Adding to that, gold and black color clouds and red maple leaves on the white porcelain support its elegance. Maple branch and leaves are drawn in the inside of the bowl, and convey that Hikaru Genji dances surrounded by rich and colorful nature. This effect also gives us a sense of perspective and adds depth to the painting.

We are certain that this Matcha bowl will immerse you in the brilliant life of the Imperial Court of those days and extraordinary and graceful feelings. This bowl gives us a glimpse into the enjoyment of subtle emotions and the WABI-SABI aesthetic during this period.