Keep it long, treasure it long.

Kutani-ware Kagamimochi

Traditional events have been decreasing over the years, but New Year’s celebrations remain special to us. Essential for creating that atmosphere are the kagami mochi and New Year decorations. Kagami mochi has been cherished since ancient times as a symbol of welcoming the New Year’s deity and wishing for the health and happiness of the family. In recent years, fewer households make kagami mochi from real rice cakes, but the tradition continues with different materials.

The kagami mochi crafted by Kamide Chōemon Kiln features a glossy white porcelain rice cake part with a vibrant orange decoration unique to Kutani ware. Since it is made of ceramic, it can be displayed year after year, and the rice cake part serves as a container, allowing you to fill it with washed rice or glutinous rice, thus preserving the original meaning of kagami mochi. This kagami mochi serves as a beautiful piece of New Year’s décor that evokes a sense of Japanese tradition and culture.

Wishing for Good Health and Growth

The kagami is shaped one by one on a potter's wheel. The rice cake part is hollow, designed so that the upper rice cake fits into the lower one, making it lightweight and stable. The lower rice cake part can also be used as a container for New Year’s sweets. It is believed that the New Year’s deity resides in the kagami mochi, and by performing the kagami biraki (breaking the kagami mochi) and eating it, one can absorb good fortune and strength, thus ensuring health and a bountiful harvest for the year. There is also the enjoyable way of placing glutinous rice in the lower part and eating it instead of the rice cake on the day of kagami biraki.

The upper part of the rice cake is unpainted, but the inside features a depiction of "Nezumi no Matsu" (Pine Tree with Roots). The design symbolizes wishes for "continuous growth" and "being grounded," and it is also used in the pine decorations displayed at entrances and gates during New Year’s. It is a delightful design characteristic of Kamide Chōemon Kiln that brings joy when discovered.

The orange part on top of the rice cake is beautifully painted with Kutani ware designs. The orange is known to grow large without falling from the tree, symbolizing the wish for "prosperity for generations to come."
White Plum: A revival of a past design from Kamide Chōemon Kiln. The plum blossom, known to be the first flower to bloom after enduring the harsh winter, symbolizes strong vitality and patience, making it an auspicious flower associated with longevity.
Old Kutani Style: Depicting a vine extending from a melon, this design originates from the Old Kutani style that emerged 360 years ago. The vibrant vine is considered auspicious and is often used in family crests.
Red Painting Cloud and Dragon Pattern: This bold composition features clouds and a dragon from a bird's-eye view. The dragon is believed to ward off evil and bring wealth and good fortune.

The kagami mochi, a representation of Japanese tradition and culture, is an exciting addition to your New Year’s décor.

Bringing Tradition to the Modern Era

Founded in the 12th year of the Meiji era in Terai Village, Nomi District, Ishikawa Prefecture (now Terai Town, Nomi City), Kamide Chōemon Kiln has a history of over 135 years as a Kutani ware manufacturer. This long-established kiln produces porcelain from shaping to painting in a consistent manner. The handmade and hand-painted products are characterized by their vibrant overglaze decorations, deep hues, and, above all, their durable and beautiful materials. This historic kiln, now in its sixth generation, has recently begun new initiatives to create Kutani ware that suits modern lifestyles. True to its roots since its founding in 1879, it continues to embrace the traditional craft of Kutani ware while adapting colors, shapes, and lovingly hand-painted designs that captivate anyone, even those unfamiliar with Kutani ware.

Kutani Ware, a Representative of Japan

Like other ceramics, Kutani ware began with hand shaping and painting. During the Edo period, the Kaga clan discovered ceramic stone and began producing porcelain, later learning techniques from Bizen and Arita, expanding to create vessels for enjoying tea. Its characteristic features include a clear white base adorned with various patterns, making it both practical for use as tableware and visually pleasing, with colors that stand out against the hard, glassy white porcelain.

Kamide Chōemon Kiln primarily manufactures and sells artistic craft items, kaiseki tableware, and everyday tableware, continuing to uphold the traditions of Kutani ware. Because each piece is hand-painted, no two are identical. Variations in the artwork depending on the artisan and production period add to their value. Kamide Chōemon Kiln insists on hand painting because they believe in the immense potential of human hands. Handmade items evoke warmth, familiarity, and charm, and can also impress with their craftsmanship and intricacy. With the belief that "the creations of people in any era possess a powerful emotional resonance," Kamide Chōemon Kiln diligently creates and preserves its hand-painted ceramics.