Unusual Imari footed sake cup footed washing bowl (haisen) with underglaze blue (sometsuke) motive of a carp (koi). Haisen were used in high grade restaurant or geisha house to rinse sake cups between refills. Today they are mostly used as decorative fruit bowl or dessert bowl. Carpe are an auspicious symbol in Japan and China. A legend says that carps are turning into dragons upon crossing a point known as the Dragon Gate on the Yellow River. In order to get there, the carps will have to swim upstream and jump rapids. The carps are therefore a symbol of perseverance and excellence.

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