Kutani porcelain dates back to the mid-1600s and is one of the backbones of Japanese pottery. The style is known for its wealth of colors— greens, blues, yellows, purples, and reds—and bold designs. Putting a modern twist on this traditional craft is industrial designer Mikiya Kobayashi.
Teaming up with Kobayashi is Kutani Choemon, a pottery manufacturer in Ishikawa, Japan with roots that date back to 1879. Kobayashi decided to create a series of cups and saucers based on the contemporary concept of “picnic.” The nonohana series in particular were created to bring to mind the colors and form of a flower field.
The series aren’t available online yet but they’re currently being sold through Taiyou no Shita, a furniture and lifestyle shop operated by Kobayashi’s design office.If you like his creations, check out the toothpick holder and bottle opener he designed.