Minoyaki porcelain rāmen bowl, HORITOKUSAKURO pattern

HORI refers to forms irregularity like a sculpture. TOKUSA is a fern in Toxopodiaceae family. It is a plant without flowers or leaves, just a stem that grows vertically.

Its upright shape has been appreciated since Edo period (1603-1867) as a symbol of growth and prosperity. TOKUSA is a plant that grows in Japanese homes front yard, with numerous stems growing compactly. In the past, it was said that if you polished gold with TOKUSA, shine of gold would be polished and become even brighter..

KURO means black. This rāmen bowl is therefore black in color, with an apparently tokusa ferns sculpted pattern.