Gorgeous set of ten Japanese urushi lacquered owan lidless rice or soup bowls in

Gorgeous set of ten Japanese urushi lacquered owan lidless rice or soup bowls in varying colors and unique maki-e designs. All are in wonderful vintage condition and were made sometime in the mid 20th century. They are not without small imperfections but nothing to mar their beauty. These bowls are incredibly beautiful Japanese utilitarian art. The bowls themselves are called owan and it is used to serve soup such as miso shiru or rice. Many bowls are lidded; however, these are not. The bowl form is carved from a single block of wood and can take as long as five years to complete carving as it must be done very slowly to prevent cracking and warping. After achieving the final form, they are left to dry for one more year. They are then given multiple lacquered coats with urushi lacquer, which is highly poisonous when wet, and takes a great amount of time since they must dry fully between coats. At this time being turned over to the maki-e lacquer artist for their decorative and symbolic designs. The ten bowls are rimmed in gold and painted in colors of cinnabar red, gold and silver with hand painted designs of cherry blossoms and script with the names of various kinds of cherry tree. Each bowl measures 1" high, 4" wide.