Japanese Kutani ware, thousand cranes style

This Japanese porcelain tea service, comprising a teapot, lidded sugar bowl, milk jug, and cups with saucers, features a repeating pattern of cranes in white, black, and gold. The cranes are painted across the surfaces in close succession, creating the impression of continuous movement while the handles, rims, and finials are highlighted with gilding. 

The crane (tsuru) is an enduring symbol in Japanese visual culture, associated with longevity, fidelity, and good fortune. In Japanese folklore, cranes were believed to live for a thousand years. The “thousand cranes” (senbazuru) tradition was thus understood as an accumulation of blessings, a means of expressing prayers for prosperity and health.

Non-exportable

Provenance: The Estate of Mangaldas Nathubhai