Sepia Flowers Yunomi - pair (handcrafted Teacup)

Handcrafted teacup: 160ml (5.63fl oz) each, diameter: 2.75inches (7cm) height: 3.74inches (9.5cm)
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Tohraku Morisato

Sepia Flowers Yunomi evokes the sophisticated and unique atmosphere of nostalgic early-modern Japan. This Yunomi is created by a technique called MISHIMA. Before the shaped clay is dried, the piece is decorated using a stamp stick carved with patterns of flowers or another similar design. MISHIMA is one of the traditional techniques of Kyo Yaki.

Tohraku stamps each of his works by hand, one at a time, though many others are stamped by machine. And he uses only his own stamp sticks that he has personally designed and created. In all of Japan, very few artisans take the time and great care to create their own stamp sticks. As a result, Tohraku’s patterns are entirely unique and extremely precise in detail. With the creative use of several hundred different handmade stamp sticks, his pieces project an atmosphere that is both expressive and amazingly delicate.

On the Sepia Flowers Yunomi, various sizes of chrysanthemum patterns are stamped inside and outside the teacup in partitioned rooms. Some are stamped in vertical or horizontal lines, while others are arranged in a circle. The arrangement creates a feeling of rhythm.

The Sepia Flowers Yunomi has a lovely purple tone which adds depth of expression. The purple tone is brought not by glaze but by the nature of the clay, which is very rare and mined in Nara. Combined with the white glaze, the clay takes on this unique purple tone. This property of the clay is subtly different in each batch, even in the same kind of clay mined in the same area, so the color of this Yunomi may vary in deepness of shade.

This teacup features a lovely shape and pattern. The teacup rim is beautifully flared, the middle is full, and the bottom is tucked. The curve from the rim to base is not only beautiful, but also an ideal shape that fits perfectly in your hands. Vertical thick and uneven lines are scraped between straight fine lines, and fine even lines are decorated around the rim and the base. These lines are elaborately and delicately carved by hand.

Using a stamp stick and purple clay from Nara, Tohraku creates each of his works by hand. In this way, he creates the traditional pattern, MISHIMA, reminiscent of early-modern Japan.

Specially packaged in a carton box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan.