Vintage Japanese Hagi-yaki Yunomi Tea Cup with Tomobako, Late Showa (1966-1989) | SKU: 26M-066

Vintage Japanese Hagi-yaki Yunomi Tea Cup with Tomobako, Late Showa (1966-1989) | SKU: 26M-066

A signed hagi-yaki yunomi in warm amber glaze, presented in its original wooden tomobako storage box.

A yunomi is a traditional Japanese ceramic tea cup used for everyday drinking of hot green tea -- distinct from the wider, handleless chawan used in the formal tea ceremony. This example is crafted in the hagi-yaki tradition, a style of Japanese vintage ceramics originating in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, celebrated for its softly porous stoneware clay, muted earthy tones, and subtly irregular hand-thrown form. The glaze here flows in warm amber and sandy caramel tones, pooling deeper at the base and lightening toward the rim, with faint horizontal wheel-throwing lines lending the surface a quiet, rhythmic texture. The exposed, unglazed foot ring reveals the pale sandy clay body typical of hagi ware. This piece is accompanied by a handcrafted wooden tomobako -- a fitted presentation box inscribed with the item name and the maker's signature and red seal in brush calligraphy -- a hallmark of quality in vintage Japanese craft and a significant mark of provenance for collectors.

In a modern home, this yunomi brings an immediate wabi-sabi aesthetic to any living space. Use it daily as a handcrafted ceramic tea cup or coffee vessel -- its warm tones and tactile surface make every morning ritual more intentional. Displayed on a windowsill, shelf, or entry table, it works beautifully as a living room accent or desk organizer for small items such as pens, brushes, or rings. Paired with its original tomobako box, it makes a unique gift for collectors, tea enthusiasts, or anyone drawn to Japandi style interiors. The set -- cup and signed wooden box together -- is a self-contained piece of Japanese ceramic art ready to be enjoyed or displayed as-is.

• Origin: Japan, likely Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Hagi-yaki stoneware with amber ash glaze; tomobako in sugi (cedar) with brush-inscribed lid and red seal
• Use: Traditional yunomi tea cup for everyday hot tea service
• Modern Use: Daily-use ceramic tea or coffee cup; desk organizer for small items; decorative wabi-sabi accent in living room or home office
• Features: Hand-thrown form with visible wheel lines; warm amber glaze with natural variation and pooling; unglazed sandy foot ring; accompanied by signed tomobako wooden presentation box with maker's calligraphy and red seal
• Dimensions: 2 3/4" Diameter x 3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A quiet masterpiece of vintage Japanese ceramics -- this signed hagi-yaki yunomi with its tomobako box brings the timeless beauty of wabi-sabi into everyday modern living.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.