Kamisaka Kutani Red-and-Gold Shunga Bowls, Set of 3

Story

During the Meiji and Taisho eras, Japanese artists used clever 'window' designs to hide playful, erotic shunga scenes inside seemingly ordinary tableware. These bowls allowed hosts to surprise close friends during private, late-night sake gatherings.

Maker / Origin

The Kamisaka (上出) workshop of Kutani is highly respected for its mastery of traditional Kutani overglaze painting techniques. Established in the Ishikawa region, this lineage of artisans specialized in the painstaking application of iron-red pigments and delicate gold leafing, maintaining a reputation for luxury decorative wares that bridged classical Edo themes with modern Meiji craftsmanship.

Condition & Value

The bowls appear to be in excellent antique condition with no visible cracks or major chips. There is minor, expected rubbing to the gold gilt along the rims and interior figures from handling, which is typical for porcelain of this age. The original wooden box shows natural aging and light staining but remains structurally sound.