Gaiwan Candle – Kawaii Kids

The Vessel – Gaiwan

Brewing sensual aromas of green, white, and oolong tea, the Ming Dynasty Gaiwan is delicate yet functional in its structure and design. The vessel’s fine porcelain absorbs heat to minimise leaf damage while the concave lid acts as a small cup. To be drunk directly from the instrument or poured into another container, the Gaiwan is elegant, unchanged, and considered the official Imperial ceremony tea decanter.

Rich in their heritage and intricate, intentional form, MAHŌ Sensory Candles--a match in purposeful, modern artistry--have re-envisioned the Gaiwan in collaboration with Melbourne-based artists to honour the simplicity of fragrance meets design.

Reflective of the ancient practice of savouring steeped tea leaves from the concave Gaiwan lid, please enjoy the fragrance of each MAHŌ Sensory Candle before igniting the aromas. Each vessel has been designed to be repurposed as a collectible statement piece or part of a modern teaware collection once burning is complete.

The Scent – Kawaii Kids

Celebrating the breaded, soft, sticky, and sweet, Kawaii Kids captures the saccharine scent of Shibuya and Harajuku, reigniting childhood memories of playing in Tokyo’s streets.
Inspired by the cute, comforting, and bite-sized treats of a Japanese bakehouse on a warm afternoon, waves of freshly baked bread, fragrant jasmine rice, and milky bubble tea mingle with sago, tapioca, and warm spices. Grounded by sandalwood, Kawaii Kids is a playful, animated interpretation of nostalgic Japanese sweetness.

Notes:
Sweet Bread, Bubble tea, Spices

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The Artist -  Tim Sta-Ana

Melbourne-based 2D animator and illustrator Tim Sta-Ana collaborates with MAHŌ for KAWAII KIDS. Passionate about making art via technology, Tim is a multidisciplinary artist focused on animation, illustration, and experimental web design. With work completed for Disney TVA, Peter Helliar’s Frankie Fish, and in collaboration with Sticky Institute, Tim organises underground art shows, animation screenings, and events under the artist collective Fizzy Cool.

Currently focused on feelings surrounding relationships and loneliness, more of Tim’s work can be found at timmy.dog.

Artist Statement:
“I really like to make things that I would personally use and see in the world… It's amazing to see modern designs and traditional techniques combined to create these candles."