This little gem is all the craze in our household and for good reason! Not only is the piece filled with layers of detail and vibrant colors but it also originates from Tajimi, Japan. Now, if you've never heard of Tajimi or what this little cozy town is known for - not to fret, we've got you covered!

Tajimi - (多治見市 Tajimi-shi) is a city located in Gifu, Japan. This city is famous for the handcrafted ceramics referred to as Mino ware. And perhaps the most popular styles are the Oribe and Seto - traditional styles of pottery that are glazed with earth tones and resemble what you would find at your local farmers market.

The most special pieces produced out of Tajimi are featured in their Museum of Modern Ceramic Art. That is where you would find pieces more along the lines of the beautiful bowl we chose to feature. The aim of these ceramics is to tell a story or highlight a notable animal, symbol or pattern.

For our specific bowl, an intricate peacock is featured throughout the outside boarder and on the inside as a focal point. In Japanese culture, peacocks represent an emblem of love, compassionate watchfulness, good will, nurturing, and kind-heartedness. Of course, finding meaning in our collectables and antiques is a common theme behind why we love most of our pieces - but it can also help to relay the story of the item itself.

Although, Japan has a rich history is ceramics, much of this remains unknown to the outside world. However, despite the city's best kept secret - each year there are multiple ceramic festivals held by the locals to increase awareness and celebrate their local art and talent.

For us, the more we learn about Tajimi - the culture, the people, the art - the more in love we fall with all of it. And that's just the thing about the pieces in your home and the item's you choose to be surrounded by - they connect you to a greater world. One that opens far beyond your little four walls. They tell the stories of other cultures, of other countries, of other people - and remaining open and embracing those aspects of the world we live in just makes sense. After all, we're all in this together. You might as well have a gorgeous bowl on your dining room table to remind you of that!

Probably the number one question that clients ask us is 'how do I know what I should start collecting?' And the truth of the matter is, it should be 'something' that resonates with you. It doesn't have to be this well thought out strategy of what will go with my current interior decor or do I have the proper cabinet for this.. and I'm sure you can come up with the rest of the 'what if' questions yourself. The number one takeaway always seems to be that the things we fill our homes with are specific and unique to us - and frankly, that is what makes them eclectic. In other words, unique.

Within the last few years we began collecting Oriental art, figures, objects.. because we personally found them captivating.

Asian craftspeople have been making ceramic, clay, or porcelain figurines and vases for thousands of years. Figurines are typically cast in the desired shape and then refined with hand carving. Most pieces require layers of glaze to be applied to enhance the beauty of each piece. The porcelain or ceramic most often associated with Oriental pieces is that of a paper-thin consistency. For example, if you were to hold up the vase pictured above to the light you could see right through it. This type of craftsmanship adds to the complexity of this art form and of course, increases the desirability and value for such pieces.

Now, you know we love anything and everything with meaning. And not only do these Oriental pieces have a deep and rich history that follows them but they also have little hidden meanings. The children figurines are symbolic of a gift you would give to someone on their birthday. And instead of their little boards saying 'happy birthday' they say 'long life'. And in our home, we'd probably like to call that good juju for your home! Bring it on!

Finally, it's important to recognize that like anything - Oriental figurines, vases, art has been mass produced. Many are considered to be a far cry from originals while there remain few that are exemplary craftsmanship - reproduction or not. For us, although we try to do our best to authenticate pieces and purchase from trusted sources - you never really know what it is that you are collecting. But if you're like us, half the fun is the hunt for new pieces, the research into the history and meanings of each and then the very last bit is the authentication process. So we encourage you to enjoy the process of collecting - regardless of what you choose to collect! And remember, more is always more!

Japanese beauty!

Captivating and collectable.. What more could you want?!