1920s Kutani "Mouse's Wedding" Japanese Fairy Tale Bone China Tea Cup and Saucer

Description

The theme of this extremely rare Kutani cup and saucer is from an old Japanese Fairy Tale - "A Mouse's … more The theme of this extremely rare Kutani cup and saucer is from an old Japanese Fairy Tale - "A Mouse's Wedding".

The design is hand painted and depicts the wedding ceremony from the child's Japanese Fairy Tale "A Mouse's Wedding"

The Bride (Hatsuka), the Bride Groom (Fukutaro) to confirm the marriage bonds are exchanging between themselves, three cups of Sake, drinking three times from each cup in turns. This Japanese wedding tradition is called the "Three Times Three".

The cup and saucer are of very delicate Bone China/porcelain.

Measurement:
Saucer 4 3/4 inches - Cup 2 1/2 tall

Both are in almost perfect condition - there is one small nick in the base of the cup on the bottom lip in the black and gold trim - which is not noticeable unless the cup is inverted.

A truly unusual cup and saucer - great conversation piece and an extraordinary addition to any collection.

I have included an image of an illustration from a 1911 reprint of the original fairy tale that was published in 1885. The 1911 reprint was published by Hasegawa, T. (Takejiro). (I do not have the book, but have provided the reference for your review.

This cup and saucer seems unique, maybe even one-of - a -kind. Despite extensive searches, nothing similar has been found.

A delightful conversation piece and an extraordinary addition to any collection. less