NIEI-609-13 Kyoto Kiyomizu-Yaki Pottery Artist "丹影 / Ni-Ei" made "Lucky Cat / cherry blossoms patterns" JAC-KNI-509-13

This elegant and refined Lucky Cat features an all-over cherry blossom design meticulously painted on a white porcelain base using the traditional “Kakizume” technique, further embellished with gold-painted cherry blossoms.
The intricate detailing and vibrant colors give this exquisite piece the graceful beauty characteristic of Kyoto ceramics.

This Lucky Cat is depicted with its right paw raised.
Traditionally, a Lucky Cat with its right paw raised is believed to beckon wealth, financial good fortune, and prosperity in business.
For generations, these auspicious figures have been displayed in shops, entrances, and other prominent places as symbols of good luck.

The color of a Lucky Cat is also said to carry its own special meaning.
A white Lucky Cat is traditionally associated with good fortune and blessings, and is believed to bring good luck in all aspects of life.

Signature "丹影 / Ni-Ei" on the bottom.
*Please check the photo images.
*Since the designs are all hand-painted, the designs and colors may differ slightly from those in the images. Please understand.
*Includes the artist’s calligraphy and seal, and comes in a wooden box.

Origin of the artist's name [丹影 / Ni-ei] The character “丹(Ni)” in [丹影(Ni-Ei)] means “vermilion, which has been used since ancient times,” and “丹” in “丹田 (tanden / the area below the navel),” the center of the body.
And the character for “影 (ei) / means shadow” has the connotation of indicating “the authenticity of light and the presence of color,” which fits the image of the creation of works with a wide variety of colors.
The artist's name [丹影 / Ni-ei] expresses her pride in being a craftsman with skills that support tradition, as well as respect for nameless predecessors who possessed advanced skills.

About [丹影 / Ni-ei] The “Etsuke-shi” is Kiyomizu-yaki craftsman who specialize in the painting.
The roles of Kiyomizuyaki potters are finely divided.
Some specialize in underglaze painting, others in overglaze painting, and still others, called “Dami-shi,” specialize in color painting, with the skill to manipulate shades of color and blurring at will.
Pottery Artist Traditional Craftsman "丹影 / Ni-Ei" is a painter who has studied and trained in the distinctive painting techniques of Kiyomizu-yaki, including the Kenzan copy (Ogata Kenzan / a master potter essential to the history of Kiyomizu-yaki in the Edo period).
In the process of training, she acquired the skill to instantly judge the “intensity of color, thickness of lines, and shape of the pattern” of the painting, and to align them in a uniform tone.


"描詰 / Kaki-zume", an essential technique for Kiyomizu-yaki painters The "描詰 / Kaki-zume" technique, in which the same pattern is repeatedly painted in the same size and in the same color intensity, is an essential technique for Kiyomizu-yaki potters, who require a high level of skill.
These traditional techniques, imbued into her body as a craftsman, form the basis of her work as a painter Pottery Artist Traditional Craftsman "丹影 / Ni-Ei".

Thoughts on Creating Works While producing traditional Kiyomizu-yaki, she is also actively engaged in creating her own unique pieces, driven by the urge to transcend traditional constraints and challenge the very limits of her own techniques.
She is constantly pursuing more detailed techniques of drawing and gorgeous coloring, and creating works of art with a graceful elegance that is typical of Kyoto pottery, while always pursuing exquisite expressions that cannot be achieved with commercial products, but are never overly flamboyant.

Pottery Artist "丹影 / Ni-Ei" Biography
2018 / The artist's name was changed to "丹影 / Ni-Ei"
2018 / The 40th Kyoto Ware and Kiyomizu Ware Exhibition, Kyoto Ceramic Wholesale Cooperative Association Chairman's Prize
Kyoto Ceramic Design Protection Association Chairman's Prize
2018 / The 60th Kyoto Iroe Ceramic Art Exhibition, Kyoto Newspaper Award

2020 / The 42nd Kyoto Pottery and Kiyomizu-yaki Ceramic Ware Exhibition, Kyoto Ceramic Ware Association Chairman's Prize

Certified as a traditional craftsman by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Recognized as “Future Master Craftsman” of Kyoto City Traditional Industries

"清水焼 / Kiyomizu-yaki", Kyoto's representative pottery During the Edo period, pottery was made in various parts of Kyoto, and the pottery produced in the Kiyomizu-dera Temple area was especially called “Kiyomizu-yaki” (Kiyomizu ware).
On the other hand, the general term for ceramics made in Kyoto from the Momoyama Period to the early Edo Period is “Kyo-yaki,” and thus “Kyo-yaki Kiyomizu-yaki” are the official names for the ceramics.
In addition, since the pottery was often used for tea ceremonies by feudal lords and court nobles, they competed with each other to produce pottery favored by samurai and court nobles, which greatly enhanced the decorative and artistic qualities as well as the technical aspects, such as ease of use.
Therefore, the gorgeous and delicate paintings are characteristic of Kyoto, which has nurtured its own unique art culture such as “Cha-no-yu” (tea ceremony), “Ka-do” (the art of flower arrangement), and “Ko-do” (the art of incense).

Kyoto Kiyomizu-Yaki Pottery Artist "丹影 / Ni-Ei" made "Lucky Cat / cherry blossoms patterns"
Product No.：JAC-KNI-509-13
*Includes the artist’s calligraphy and seal, and comes in a wooden box.
Size：About 150 ㎜ × Height 180 ㎜
Outer Box Size: Approx. 156 mm (L) × 140 mm (W) × 250 mm (H)
Weight：Lucky Cat About 470 g, Total Weight About 880 g

1,000 JPY flat rate shipping within Japan, free shipping for purchases totaling 20,000 JPY or more.
Please bear the actual cost for shipping charges outside Japan.

To enjoy your Kyoto Kiyomizu-Yaki Pottery for many years to come, please observe the following care instructions.
Please avoid sudden changes in temperature.
・Pouring boiling water into pottery that has been excessively chilled, such as in a freezer, may cause cracking or breakage.
・Do not use in a microwave, oven, or over an open flame.
・Do not use in a microwave.
・Do not use a dishwasher or dish dryer.
・When washing, use a soft sponge with mild dishwashing detergent and wash gently.
・Do not use scouring pads or brushes when cleaning.
・After washing, wipe off any remaining water with a cotton cloth and allow the item to air dry completely.
・Do not use bleach.
・Strong impacts may cause the item to break, crack, or chip. Please handle with great care.