Kutani-ware Porcelian Skulls Remind Us of Our Mortality, Art’s Longevity

Kutaniyaki, or Kutani ware, is a style of porcelain making that dates back to the 17th Century. It’s known for its bold colors and designs, but one company is taking the traditional form in a decidedly modern direction with its new series of Kutaniyaki Skulls.

Gosai, a collection of companies that promotes Kutani ware, is showcasing the skulls at the current Tokyo International Gifts Show and they’ve been creating a lot of buzz.

The artworks are cast in two pieces and recreate the proper proportions of a human skull. They were created to serve as the kind of high-quality interior design piece that fills a room with its presence, and you can’t get more magnetic than a memento mori. The juxtaposition of the exquisite artwork and the ephemeral subject matter makes you want to hunker down in that moment and place, heart pounding to admire the colors and design.

Each one is chic and daring. They range in price based on size from 9,800 yen to 105,000 yen, and are worth every yenny whether you value them as an object of traditional craftsmanship or as revolutionary artwork. Either way, even if you aren’t going to the expo, you can pick up your very own through Gosai’s website.

This skull features playing card suits and a style of blue dots particular to Kutani ware called “ao tsubu”. The piece is said to drive away bad luck.