Vintage Japanese Yunomi Tea Cup Set, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-651-2

Japanese Yunomi Tea Cup Set | Wabi-Sabi Pottery & Handcrafted Teaware, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-651-2

A pair of richly glazed stoneware yunomi presented in a signed wooden storage box -- handcrafted Japanese pottery at its most earthy and expressive.

A yunomi is a traditional Japanese handleless tea cup used for everyday drinking, distinct from the more ceremonial chawan bowl. This pair of vintage Japanese yunomi exemplifies the wabi-sabi aesthetic that flourished among studio potters during the Late Showa era -- a deliberate celebration of the imperfect, the irregular, and the handmade. Each cup is wheel-thrown from a coarse, iron-rich stoneware clay and finished with a warm amber-brown glaze that pools and breaks unevenly across the deeply ridged surface, producing subtle tonal variations from russet to deep umber. Flashes of olive green glaze appear at the rim and along the ribs, adding quiet complexity. The unglazed foot ring on each cup reveals the raw, sandy clay body beneath -- a hallmark of Japanese craft pottery. The set is housed in a fitted two-compartment wooden box bearing a brushed calligraphic inscription and a red seal stamp, strongly suggesting an attributed or signed artist piece, making it a notable find for collectors of Japanese antique pottery and vintage teaware.

In a modern home, this yunomi pair works beautifully as functional drinkware for green tea, hojicha, or even an espresso -- their tactile, ridged walls warming naturally in the hands. The earthy tones and handcrafted character make them equally at home as a living room accent or kitchen display, sitting naturally alongside Japandi style interiors or minimalist decor. The signed wooden box elevates the set as a complete collector's display piece, ideal presented on a shelf or sideboard. This is a thoughtful and unique gift for Japanophiles, tea ceremony enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese pottery with genuine provenance.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Iron-rich coarse stoneware with amber-brown and olive ash glaze; fitted wooden storage box with brushed calligraphic inscription and red seal
• Use: Yunomi -- traditional Japanese handleless tea cups for everyday hot beverage drinking
• Modern Use: Everyday teacups or espresso cups; wabi-sabi living room or kitchen display; shelf or sideboard decor alongside minimalist or Japandi style interiors
• Features: Deeply wheel-thrown horizontal ribbing across the exterior; warm amber-brown glaze with olive green flashing at rims and ribs; dark pooled glaze interior; raw unglazed foot rings showing coarse sandy clay body; presented as a matched pair in a signed two-compartment wooden tomobako box
• Dimensions: 2 1/2" Diameter x 3 1/2"H (Larger)
• Condition: Excellent

A rare signed pair of handcrafted Japanese yunomi -- vintage stoneware pottery that brings the warmth and quiet beauty of the wabi-sabi aesthetic 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.