Shinshayū Yuwan Green Tea Cup by Tamaya Kōsei

Description

In the 14th century, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu promoted the growth of tea around Kyoto's Uji district, and this began a long and deep tea culture that is still thriving today.  Local artisans, well attuned to the aesthetics of tea, produce utensils of the highest quality, including tea bowls, whisks, and cast iron wares.  As well, "Uji tea" has become the appellation for superior matcha - the powdered type used for tea ceremony.

Hailing from this region so steeped in tea is ceramic artist Tamaya Kōsei.  Since establishing his kiln in 1998, he has devoted himself to the production of porcelain wares and works almost exclusively in copper-based glazes.

This yuwan green tea cup by Tamaya Kōsei is done in a lustrous glaze called shinshayū, or "cinnabar glaze."  Imbued with the colors of fall, it is as vibrant as the maple leaves which cover Japan's mountainsides in autumn.  Precisely formed from a blend of porcelain and clay, called hanjiki in Japanese, the bowl resonates beautifully when tapped on the rim.

A wooden presentation box will be custom made to order and signed by the artist.  Delivery time for this item is 2 weeks.

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