Japanese Ceramic Tea Bowls with Crane and Turtle Motifs

This is a pair of Japanese ceramic tea bowls (chawan), likely used as part of a celebratory matcha tea set. The bowls feature a light cream or off-white glaze with a high-gloss finish. Each bowl is decorated with traditional 'Kotobuki' (longevity/celebration) symbols. One bowl depicts a white crane (tsuru) amongst pine trees and stylized clouds, while the other features a green turtle (kame) with stylized plum blossoms. These animals are auspicious symbols in Japanese culture representing long life. The interior base of each bowl is marked with a red kanji character, likely 'Kotobuki' (寿). The rims are finished with a thin, gilded gold band, which appears slightly worn in certain areas. The bowls have a rounded, globular form with a slight indentation around the middle, facilitating a comfortable grip. The craftsmanship suggests mid-to-late 20th-century production. Condition is generally good with some minor surface scuffs, small firing pits (visible on the inner base of the left bowl), and slight wear to the gilt rims consistent with light use. The hand-painted or high-quality transfer printed details show vibrant greens, reds, and blues against the neutral background.