Vintage Japanese Chataku tea saucers, set of five, Mid-Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0281

Vintage Japanese Chataku tea saucers, set of five, Mid-Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0281

A matched set of five handcrafted wooden chataku with richly figured bark-pattern surfaces -- an elegant accent for Japanese tea service or wabi-sabi home decor.

A chataku is a traditional Japanese tea saucer designed to cradle a yunomi or small ceramic teacup, protecting the table surface and adding a refined ceremonial quality to the act of serving tea. This set of five pieces dates to the mid-Showa period and showcases a deep, glossy reddish-brown finish over a wood surface displaying vivid elongated amber and orange-tan inclusions -- a patterning strongly consistent with kaba-zaiku style, in which the naturally mottled surface of cherry bark is used to create striking organic designs. Whether lacquered or worked in the kaba-zaiku tradition, the effect is the same: each saucer is visually alive with irregular markings that make no two pieces identical. The shallow, gently concave form with its raised outer rim and recessed center well is a classic chataku profile, turned with quiet confidence and finished to a warm, reflective sheen. This kind of handcrafted Japanese teaware was a staple of postwar domestic hospitality, and a set in good condition is increasingly sought after by collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

Today, these chataku translate beautifully into a modern home setting well beyond the tea table. Arrange them as a cohesive set of decorative coasters on a living room coffee table or sideboard -- their warm tones and organic patterning complement both Japandi style interiors and wabi-sabi aesthetic spaces effortlessly. Each piece also makes a charming catch-all dish for rings, earrings, or small objects on a bedroom dresser or bathroom counter. Displayed together on a shelf or tray, the five saucers create an instant curated vignette that doubles as a unique housewarming gift for admirers of Japanese vintage craft or mid-century modern decor with an artisanal edge.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Wood with glossy reddish-brown finish; vivid bark-like amber inclusions consistent with kaba-zaiku (cherry bark ware) style
• Use: Chataku -- traditional Japanese teacup saucers used in formal and everyday tea service
• Modern Use: Decorative coasters for a coffee table or sideboard; catch-all dishes for jewelry or small accessories; styled display pieces for a wabi-sabi or Japandi interior
• Features: Set of five matching round saucers; shallow concave form with raised outer rim and recessed center well; deeply figured surface with irregular elongated amber and orange-tan bark-pattern markings; warm reflective finish; small foot ring visible on underside of some pieces
• Dimensions: 4 1/2"Diameter x -- "H (each)
• Condition: Good vintage condition; minor surface variation and light wear consistent with age; finish remains largely intact across the set

A beautifully tactile piece of vintage Japanese teaware -- this chataku set brings the quiet elegance of mid-Showa craft 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 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.