These bowls are by Tōsai-gama, and are from their Kotobe series of classically patterned Japanese ceramics. With a slightly larger foot than is common, the bowls can fit into the palm of a hand, and be held when eating rice. Fantastic decorative items too, they are hand painted and fired. Tōsai-gama is the kiln of the Nagato family, based in the Tobe-ware ceramic region of Ehime. Tobe-ware is one of Japan’s traditions in white ceramics, historically known for the ‘sometsuke’ style of blue pigment designs on pale surfaces. Kotobe meaning old-Tobe is a series that references some of the classic patterns that may have been found in the 18-19th century iterations of these Ehime white ceramics.