Seto Ko-Oribe Sencha Tea Cup

This handcrafted yunomi tea cup is designed for enjoying sencha or daily Japanese tea, offering a tactile and visual experience that deepens with every use.

The piece is made by Miyoshi Itsuzo (三次五三), a highly regarded ceramic artist working in the Akazu ware tradition of Seto City, Aichi Prefecture. Akazu is a historic pottery area known for preserving classical techniques since the Momoyama period. Akazu ware is officially designated as a National Traditional Craft of Japan, recognized for its cultural and technical significance.

This yunomi features Ko-Oribe (Old Oribe) glaze, a style that emerged during Japan’s Momoyama period (1573–1603). Oribe glaze is named after the tea master Furuta Oribe, a disciple of Sen no Rikyu, and is celebrated for its expressive use of iron decoration and vivid green glaze. The deep, glossy green tones, along with areas of pooling and contrast against the creamy white base, create a dynamic surface full of movement and depth. A hand-brushed “心” (kokoro, meaning “heart” or “spirit”) motif adds a quiet yet powerful symbolic presence.

The cup’s gently asymmetrical form fits naturally in the hand, embodying the philosophy of wabi-sabi—the beauty of imperfection and individuality. Subtle variations in shape, glaze flow, and texture ensure that each piece is truly one of a kind.

Works by Miyoshi Itsuzo are valued for their ability to balance traditional tea-ceremony aesthetics with a contemporary sensibility, making them appealing to both collectors and everyday users of Japanese ceramics.

Blending historical tradition with artistic expression, this Old Oribe yunomi is not only a functional tea vessel but also a meaningful work of Japanese ceramic art—ideal for personal use, thoughtful gifting, or a refined tea collection.