Vintage Japanese Tea Cup Set, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-651-1

Japanese Yunomi Lidded Tea Cup Set | Vintage Teaware & Decorative Collectible, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-651-1

A pair of richly textured stoneware yunomi with hand-painted porcelain lids -- one in cobalt blue, one in iron red -- each adorned with playful koi fish motifs.

A yunomi is a traditional Japanese tea cup used for everyday drinking, typically taller and more casual in form than the flat chawan bowl of the formal tea ceremony. This pair of vintage Japanese teaware from the Late Showa era showcases a striking two-material construction: the outer cups are wheel-thrown stoneware finished in a smooth, deep chocolate-brown glaze with fine horizontal ribbing that gives each piece a refined tactile quality, while the interiors are lined with a soft celadon-green glaze. Each cup is fitted with a separate porcelain lid -- one decorated in classic sometsuke style with bold cobalt-blue koi swimming amid swirling waves, the other painted in vivid aka-e style with iron-red koi accented by turquoise-green dots. The koi motif, long associated in Japanese culture with good fortune and perseverance, lends these cups a cheerful, auspicious character. This handcrafted Japanese pottery set is a wonderful example of the playful yet refined folk-ceramic sensibility that flourished in post-war studio pottery.

In a modern home, this vintage tea cup set is as versatile as it is beautiful. Use the cups as a functional yunomi pair for daily green tea or hojicha, letting the cool celadon interior and warm stoneware exterior enhance every sip. The contrasting lid designs -- one blue-and-white, one red-and-green -- make them a natural conversation piece on a tea tray or kitchen shelf, perfectly suited to a Japandi-style or wabi-sabi aesthetic. They also work beautifully as a small condiment or trinket dish on a dining table or dressing table, with the decorative lids doubling as display pieces in their own right. A thoughtful housewarming gift or gift for Japanophiles who appreciate vintage Japanese craft with genuine character and daily usability.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Stoneware cups with chocolate-brown matte glaze exterior and celadon-green glaze interior; porcelain lids with hand-painted overglaze decoration
• Use: Lidded yunomi tea cups for everyday Japanese tea service
• Modern Use: Daily tea cups for green tea or hojicha; small condiment or trinket dishes with decorative lids; Japandi-style tabletop accent or shelf display
• Features: Pair of matching stoneware cups with fine horizontal ribbing; two distinct hand-painted porcelain lids -- one in cobalt-blue sometsuke koi design, one in iron-red aka-e koi design with turquoise accents; celadon-green glazed interiors; unglazed foot ring
• Dimensions: 3 1/2" diameter x 2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A charming pair of vintage Japanese pottery tea cups that bring the warmth of traditional teaware and the good fortune of the koi motif into any modern home.

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 and antique 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.