This is a sake cup washer I purchased about 20 years ago on the antique street in Kyoto. What captivated me most was, without a doubt, the clematis arabesque design painted between the windows. The outlines are carefully drawn and filled in. It's very powerful and impactful. Looking to the right, there's a square window. Plum blossoms and grass. You can feel the strong vitality of the grass. The balance between the sky, plum branches, and grass is excellent. The shading in the square window makes it feel like a real view from a window. It's painted on a curved surface, almost like a trompe-l'oeil. The skill is amazing. It's astonishing that this level of thought and painting was done in the Edo period. I don't think the photos can convey it, so please take your time to examine it closely in person. Inside the cloud window on the left, there's bamboo. The tips are deliberately not drawn, and the space in between is depicted. The viewer's imagination allows you to feel the expanse of the space. The outside features a combination of wave patterns. In the central round window, is it a leaping fish? Interesting. Recently, it's also been used as a flower vase. It's shallow and has a wide opening, so it's used as a water basin for flower arrangements. It could also be used like a compote. In fact, it's said that Western compotes are based on sake cup washers exported during the Edo period. Western-style arrangements are also nice. I place a large plate on top and use it as a cake stand for afternoon tea. The guests' reactions are very good, and I have a wonderful time. Before placing the plate, I hide some small sweets in the sake cup washer. When I say, "Let me tidy up a bit," and remove the plate, there's a surprise of sweets! You can do things like that. I also put tiramisu in it. They say, "There was still a big one!" Also, if you put ice in it and place cakes or cream-based sweets on top, it will cool them and slightly delay the melting of the cream. And so on, it's highly recommended because you can show consideration for your guests. Of course, it's a beautiful item to display, so I hope you like it. I hope it will be received by someone who will cherish it. There are no noticeable chips or cracks. There is a black mass (insect eggs) in the back of the bottom. It's been there since I bought it, and I've displayed it as a good luck charm for fertility. If you're concerned, you can soften it with hot water and scrape it off. Size: Approximately 10.5 cm high Approximately 13.5 cm in diameter