This multi-purpose cup is handcrafted by Tetsuo Nagae, a renowned ceramic artist based in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan—one of the country’s most historic pottery regions with nearly 1,000 years of tradition. So closely tied to ceramics is Seto that the word “setomono” has long been used in Japan to mean pottery itself.
Nagae specializes in the Nerikomi (kneaded clay) technique, in which carefully prepared colored clays are layered, cut, and assembled to create patterns that run through the entire body of the piece. This process is often compared to cutting traditional Kintaro candy, where each slice reveals a complete and unique design.
This cup features a flowing feather-inspired pattern, reminiscent of delicate bird feathers gently overlapping in the wind. Fine layered lines in deep blue, soft blue, pale yellow, light gray, and subtle cream tones create a calm, airy impression, giving the surface a sense of movement and quiet elegance.
Rather than being painted on the surface, the design is formed entirely through the Nerikomi technique itself, allowing the pattern to emerge naturally from within the clay body. As each piece is handmade, slight variations in color and line are a natural part of the process and a hallmark of authentic Seto ware.
Comfortable to hold and beautifully balanced, this versatile multi cup is ideal for enjoying tea, Japanese sake, liqueurs, or other favorite drinks. It also serves as a refined example of contemporary Japanese ceramic art rooted in centuries of tradition.
