Botan-mon Chawan 牡丹文茶碗（ぼたんもんちゃわん）｜Fukagawa Seiji 深川製磁（ふかがわせいじ） This distinguished set of five tea bowls was produced by Fukagawa Seiji, one of Japan’s most prestigious porcelain kilns, officially appointed as a purveyor to the Imperial Household and internationally recognized for its exceptional quality and historical significance. Founded in Arita in 1894, Fukagawa Seiji established its global reputation after receiving the highest Gold Medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. This achievement positioned the kiln at the forefront of Japanese export porcelain and firmly embedded its name within European collecting culture. Since that time, Fukagawa Seiji has been admired for successfully uniting refined Japanese aesthetics with technical sophistication that appealed to Western tastes. The first-generation founder, Fukagawa Chuji, traveled repeatedly to Europe at a young age, absorbing advanced ceramic technologies and artistic sensibilities. By integrating these innovations with traditional Arita techniques, he created the distinctive “Fukagawa Style,” a design language that has been passed down through generations of master artisans and remains a defining feature of the kiln today. All stages of production, beginning with clay preparation, are carried out in-house at the historic workshop located near the mountains and rivers of Arita. The porcelain displays a luminous, translucent white body, enhanced by refined underglaze blue, overglaze enamels, and delicate gold decoration, demonstrating both precision and elegance. Each tea bowl is adorned with red and white peony motifs. In East Asian culture, peonies symbolize prosperity, nobility, and auspicious fortune, making this set not only visually striking but also rich in cultural meaning. The harmonious balance between decorative richness and restraint gives these bowls a timeless appeal that resonates strongly with international collectors. This complete set of five tea bowls represents an excellent example of late 20th-century Arita ware, produced by a kiln whose works continue to be collected and appreciated in museum and private collections across Europe and Asia. --- Artist Profile 1894 Established in Arita, Saga Prefecture 1900 Awarded the Gold Medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle 1910 Appointed as an official supplier to the Imperial Household 1961 Visited by the Emperor and Empress at the Fukagawa factory --- Accessories None --- Dimensions & Weight Height 8 cm Diameter 10 cm Total weight 1043 g (set of 5) --- Technique & Condition Porcelain with overglaze enamels and gold decoration Arita ware Period 1990–2000 Condition excellent --- Shipping Shipping via Japan Post EMS from Japan. Items are securely packed to ensure safe international delivery. Please note that I can ship only to countries where EMS delivery from Japan is available. For bidders in the United States: Please be aware that additional import duties or tariffs may be applied by U.S. Customs, and the amounts can be significantly high depending on the item and the current regulations. If you choose to place a bid, please do so with full understanding of the possible customs charges. Import duties, VAT, and customs handling fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer.