This Matcha bowl was made in Kyoto and displays the Shishi-mai, also known as the Japanese Lion dance.
The Shishimai (lion dance) has been performed since ancient times in Japan at New Year’s eve and other festive occasions.
This tea bowl displays a lion dance with a person dancing in it.
The Lion dance involves performers wearing lion-shaped masks and a large cloth with an arabesque lion pattern. The dance is believed to have originated from India, and traveled to Japan from China. The “shishi”
Animal that looks similar to a lion, symbolizes sacred beasts that are capable of expelling evil.
In the middle of the eighth century, the lion dance started being performed at shrines and temples. From the middle of the 14th century to the beginning of the 17th century, entertainment groups from Ise in Mie prefecture traveled the country, performing the lion dance and distributing talismans from the Ise Shrine. This is believed to have spread the dance to a wide, audience.
The previous owner of the Matcha Bowl told us that this bowl is believed to be a good omen.
