Miya Company Shichita Someneko Plates

Made in Japan, these ceramic plates feature a traditional blue-and-white glaze and hand-drawn cats. Each plate shows off a cat fishing over a ocean wave (seigaiha) pattern; one sneaking through scrolling vines (karakusa); or it strolling in the rain under an umbrella with a paper doll charm (teru bozu). These cat designs are known as “shichita someneko,” which translates to a cat named after seventh day of the seventh month. According to Japanese folklore, a stray cat wandered into a pottery studio on the day of the Star Festival, where wishes are written on paper and hung from bamboo. The potters deemed the unexpected visitor as a sign of good fortune and named it “Schichita.” Each plate has a gently irregular edge and no two are alike due to the high-temperature glazing style and handmade nature. Use them for snacks, nuts, ice cream, condiments or pickled vegetables. Get 10% off if you order 2 or more, with code MIYA at checkout.