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What is this?

From information on the web (must be true, right?), I gather that the two leading characters at the left side of the sticker (bottom as shown), probably indicate the dish was meant to be used for arranging a type of Japanese ikebana called "Kamon" (華紋), translatable as "flower mon" or "floral family crest". I'm unsure what the last character represents (possibly the dish's form), but the one preceding it is another form of the first, also meaning "flower" in this context. Perhaps our Japanese contributors can add more insight and correct any erroneous assumptions on my part.

Best regards,

Bill H.

yes I'm getting a similar vibe, something like "elegantly decorated ikebana base", but wonder if 華纹 might be meant as a brand name. 花器 seems entirely utilitarian.

Hi Rat and Rachel,

"Kamon" uses 華 (old meaning of "flower") in its adjectival case as "florid" or "flower-covered" and 紋 in its basic Japanese meaning of "family crest" (mon). (NOTE: By comparison, if you use 花 (common character for "flower") instead of 華 with 紋, 花 will still be pronounced "ka" in many adjectival cases, such as "flower bed", "flower vase", etc.) The combination of 花 and 紋 may be translated as well to mean "flower design" and also can be a feminine given name, both pronounced "kamon".

At the outset, I was dazed by those circles instead of squares atop the second character in 紋器 on the label. Based on Rat's superior sense of it, and a final check with the online Japanese-English dictionary, I'm fairly certain the label (華紋の花器) can be read in context as "Flower Mon Bowl" (Kamon no? Kaki).

I found nothing to indicate that "Kamon" is used as a trademark, although some kamon undoubtedly are trademarked. If you Google "Kamon", all sorts of floral mon designs pop up.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Bill H.

Thank you fur your input. Very much appreciated.

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