Japanese Sushi Bar Yunomi Teacup with Kappa Characters

A tall white porcelain yunomi (Japanese teacup) wrapped in a whimsical illustration of a sushi bar. Green kappa, the water sprites of Japanese folklore, work behind the counter and clink glasses with customers, alongside a maiko with flowers in her hair and a little girl with red ribbons. Above them hangs a row of menu tags in hand-written Japanese listing sushi favourites such as いくら (salmon roe), たい (sea bream), えび (prawn), あなご (conger eel), たこ (octopus) and いか (squid), along with rolls like かっぱ巻 (cucumber roll). A small red artist's seal sits by the counter. It is the classic tall shape that sushi restaurants use to keep green tea hot.

The kappa are no accident on a sushi cup. Kappa are said to love cucumbers more than anything, which is why the cucumber sushi roll is called kappamaki in Japan. In Edo-period illustrated books, kappa went from frightening river creatures to comical characters, and they've been favourite cartoon mascots in Japanese advertising and design ever since.