Kyoto Ware Zodiac Tea Bowl (Eto Chawan) — Daikoku's Mice with Lucky Mallet and Treasure Sack, Brushed Slip Swirl

This Kyoto-ware (Kiyomizu-yaki) matcha bowl shows two white mice with a lucky mallet (uchide no kozuchi, 打ち出の小槌), one of the attributes of Daikoku, the god of prosperity and abundance. In Japanese folk belief the mouse is Daikoku's messenger. The mallet is said to bring forth treasure with each shake, so the pairing is a classic image of good fortune. One mouse clutches the mallet, painted in deep purple with yellow-gold ends. The other carries a red sack with fine patterning, most likely Daikoku's treasure sack. Both are drawn with red eyes and ears and long curling tails, with a light, affectionate touch.

Flanking the scene are green sprigs with yellow at the base. They appear to be young pine seedlings (komatsu). If so, they recall ne-no-hi, the Heian-period court custom of pulling up young pines on the first Day of the Rat in the New Year as a wish for long life. That would tie the mouse motif to New Year celebration as well as to prosperity.

The bowl is thrown in a warm reddish-brown clay. It is decorated with white slip applied in two ways: a broad panel that frames the painted scene, and fine brushed hakeme lines that wrap around the body. Inside, a white slip spiral sweeps down into the well, where whisked tea would gather. A clear glaze with an allover crackle covers the whole piece, softening the contrast between clay and slip. The overglaze enamels in white, red, purple, yellow and green sit on top.

• Origin: Kyoto, Japan — Kiyomizu-yaki (Kyō-yaki)

• Maker: Impressed potter's seal (unread)

• Form: Matcha tea bowl, rounded wan-nari shape

• Glaze: Clear crackle glaze over reddish-brown clay with white slip panel, hakeme brushwork, and a slip spiral in the well

• Decoration: Overglaze enamel of two white mice with Daikoku's lucky mallet and treasure sack, flanked by young pine sprigs

• Base: Foot ring with unglazed rim, impressed seal on the lower wall

• Box: Paper-covered presentation box with yellow wrapping cloth

• Condition: Good vintage/secondhand condition. Please see photos for any wear beyond the characteristic crackle.

• Dimensions: (D) approx. 12 cm x (H) approx. 7.8 cm