Rearranging the Cupboard
The rainy season has finally arrived in the Kanto region.
I thought we would have continuous rain for a while, but looking at the weather forecast, it seems we'll have a few precious sunny days ahead.
So, I decided to take advantage of this good weather to rearrange my cupboard, letting the wind flow through the open windows.
I moved the thick, earthenware vessels that provided warmth during winter to the back.
In their place, I'm now arranging cool, porcelain pieces at the front.
During this season of continuous rain, washed dishes take a long time to dry, so you have to be a bit careful.
In that regard, white porcelain dishes drain well and dry quickly with a swift wipe of a cloth.
In this humid season, white porcelain is a very reliable ally.
Arranged in the prime spot, easily accessible, are the soba choko (noodle dipping cups) from Keizangama.
Keizangama's soba choko have an incredibly rich variety of patterns, numbering over 100, apparently. From modern designs to playful ones that make you chuckle, it's hard to choose just one.
From that collection, these are my family's favorites, collected little by little.
As I gaze at the array of patterns, I wonder, which one shall I use today?
This time spent choosing a dish according to my mood is one of my small pleasures.
"Net and Red Fish" - Like Peering into the Water's Surface
Perhaps it's because I moved around a bit while rearranging, but I suddenly felt like eating something cold.
Today's lunch calls for refreshing zaru soba.
For lunch in the coming season, cold noodles like zaru soba, somen, and hiyashi chuka will be on rotation.
The chosen soba choko features a pattern of red fish drawn within the delicate, wavering net of sometsuke.
The overglaze fish look as if they could start swimming at any moment, and the floating aquatic plants are utterly adorable.
It is said that the net pattern signifies "scooping up good fortune," and this design, with its many fish, somehow evokes a scene of abundant harvest.
When cold mentsuyu (dipping sauce) is poured in, the white porcelain's empty space spreads out like a water surface, and the fish seem to swim within it. It feels as if I'm gently peering into a cool waterside.
Its smooth texture and eye-pleasing cool design are perfect for the humid rainy season.
"Shippo Pattern" Makes Ordinary Sweets Special
Snack time.
I combined fruit and kanten (agar-agar) from the fridge to make a simple mitsumame.
For serving, I chose a soba choko with the "Shippo" pattern, which features interlocking circles.
The Shippo pattern is said to symbolize "harmony" and "enduring good relationships" because the circles extend infinitely in all directions.
Keizangama was originally a kiln that supplied pottery to the Imperial Household Agency, and I am truly captivated by the beauty of these classical patterns.
Soba choko are generally perceived as vessels for soba dipping sauce, but in our home, we also use them as dessert cups like this.
The regular geometric pattern and the serene atmosphere of the white porcelain add elegance, making even ordinary sweets feel somehow special.
"Camellia and Shepherd's Purse" Blooming Beyond the Steam
On rainy days, it can sometimes get a little chilly in the evening.
On such days, making chawanmushi in a steamer is a good idea.
I served the chawanmushi in soba choko with camellia and shepherd's purse designs.
When I open the lid of the steamer, the vibrant red and gentle blue subtly emerge beyond the steam, along with the scent of wood.
The camellia, which blooms elegantly even in harsh cold, has long been cherished as a symbol of warding off evil and good fortune. Shepherd's purse, on the other hand, is one of the seven spring herbs. It's a familiar plant with wishes for a healthy life.
Enjoying chawanmushi while gazing at such patterns somehow makes it taste richer than usual.
Although the patterns have completely different atmospheres, they don't look out of place when placed together on the table.
I've accumulated many different patterns over time, and I believe one of the charms of Keizangama's vessels is that they naturally come together no matter how you combine them.
Keizangama has apparently valued making dishes that are easy for general households to use since the previous generation.
They combine elegance and practicality, gently accompanying daily meals.
I feel that's why they have been loved for so long.
The Unfading Beauty of Handcraftsmanship
I recall the time Mr. Shinohara of Keizangama taught me about their production process.
The sight of artisans facing the pottery, painting with unwavering brushstrokes.
As I watched patterns emerge one after another from the brush tip, I was once again surprised that each one was hand-drawn.
Even with the same pattern, if you look closely, the thickness of the lines and the intensity of the paint are slightly different.
This subtle irregularity is absent in perfectly uniform printed items.
That's why you never tire of looking at them; the more you gaze, the deeper their charm seems to become.
Keizangama's soba choko feature traditional patterns and designs that have been cherished for centuries.
The "Karako" (Chinese children) pattern, depicting children at play, embodies wishes for prosperity and healthy growth.
The "Tako Karakusa" (octopus arabesque) pattern, with its powerfully curling vines, conveys prayers for vitality and longevity.
And the "Hyotan" (gourd) pattern is entrusted with the meaning of warding off illness and ensuring good health.
Behind these heartwarming patterns quietly reside the wishes of people from long ago for their daily lives.
Even in the upcoming rainy season, spending time gazing at the patterns and designs on the dishes will surely enrich it a little.
These soba choko will likely add a quiet touch of color to your daily table.
