Ultimate Ramen Bowl Cherry Blossom

Description

This ultimate Arita ware cherry blossom ramen bowl is a must have for any design loving foodies. Finely hand painted “Iro-nabeshima” style Arita Ware Japanese porcelain is literaly an art piece with functionality. Japanese are experts at integrating art into everyday items and this special ramen bowl with cherry blossoms takes it to another level.  Featuring an aged cherry tree with gentle pale-pink blossoms, the bowl is generously hand painted throughout.  The motif continues inside the bowl. These are individual pieces, meaning there is no one bowl the same.

Porcelain Only for the Privileged and Powerful

The type of porcelain called “Iro-nabeshima (色鍋島)” is what separates this bowl from the rest.  Many may have heard of “Imari (伊万里)” porcelain which is also a type of Arita ware (有田焼), like this ramen bowl. It is one of the most artistic and collected of the Japanese porcelain.  While “Imari” made its name as a succesful export and it was a highly admired commodity in the west, “Iro-nabeshima” was largely unknown even to the general Japanese public until late 19th century when shogunate was demolished.  Back then, it was so precious that it only circulated among the noble and powerful; the ruling shogun family and feudal lords.  “Iro-nabeshima” was produced under the watchful eye of Lord Nabeshima of Saga and it was produced for their use and profit for 200 years.  Like trade secrets, techniques and skills were kept within a group of selected artists in their kiln.

For more details and fascinating facts about “Iro-nabeshima”, please see a blog post (coming soon).

The Art of Blank Space

What are the characteristics of “Iro-nabeshima”?  It commonly only uses three traditional enamel colors of red, green and yellow. “Iro-nabeshima” often shows an exquisite balance between artistic painting and blank space while many traditional Japanese porcelains and ceramics fill their surfaces with intricate designs and motifs.

Beyond Street Food

Back in the modarn day, ramen has come a long way.  Once equivalent to hot dog, as in a means to cheerfully end a drinking night, ramen these days can be gourmet, potentially be wallet-shattering, served sparkling with gold or with a whole lobster on top. The price tags are reaching up to $400.  So it is not surprising that there was a demand to eat this popular dish in style.

Making your Ramen Time Extra Special

The cherry blossom ramen bowl is designed specifically for hot soupy noodle dish.  It has the perfect depth and thickness to keep the noodle dish warm while it is not too hot if you want to lift it while eating.  Matching spoon is also available and even the little cutlery is nothing short of perfect.  When you don’t need to use it, it has a tiny hook on its back so it hangs perfectly on the rim of the bowl.  If you want the spoon out of the bowl, there is a tiny stand on the back which lifts slightly off the table so the bowl part of the spoon that goes in your mounth won’t touch the table – a very Japanese feature to be so insanely careful about hygeine.  In any case we recommend purchasing these items together as a pair.  These items will make a very special treat for yourself or a gift.

Note:
– Depending on stock stuation, it might take up to 3 weeks for delivery.
– Spoon is sold separately.

Features
– Iro-nabeshima Style
– Arita Ware Porcelain
– Finely hand painted
– Matching soup spoon available
– Dishwasher/microwave safe
– Made in Saga, Japan

Specifications
Diameter: 18cm
Height: 8cm
Weight: 526g
Size: approx. 1L
Material: Porcelain