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 soft, flowing marbled pattern in delicate shades of pale pink and milky white. The fine, organic lines gently swirl across the surface, creating a subtle sense of movement and an elegant, airy atmosphere. The overall impression is calm, warm, and quietly refined.
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, no two cups are ever exactly the same, making every cup truly one of a kind.
Comfortable to hold and beautifully balanced, this versatile sencha cup is ideal for enjoying Japanese green tea, herbal tea, sake, or even desserts. It is a gentle yet sophisticated example of contemporary Japanese ceramic art rooted in centuries of tradition.
