Vintage Japanese Tea Set "Tokoname Yaki" — Ceramic, 1980, Showa Era (SKU: 25M-341-2)

Vintage Japanese Tokoname-yaki Tea Set — Showa Era Red Clay Elegance (SKU: 25M-341-2-0)
Where Earth Meets Ceremony in Every Pour

This vintage Tokoname-yaki (常滑焼) tea set from the 1980s Showa era is a refined expression of Japan’s deep-rooted tea culture—an art form where simplicity and earthbound beauty converge. Crafted in Tokoname, one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, this set embodies centuries of ceramic mastery passed down through generations.

The set includes a side-handled kyūsu teapot, five slender teacups, and a matching yuzamashi (cooling bowl), all made from Tokoname's signature red clay and finished with a smooth matte surface. The interior of each cup is glazed in pure white porcelain, creating a striking contrast that beautifully frames the color of brewed tea. Subtle calligraphic inscriptions on the cups add a poetic touch, while the original signed wooden box (kiribako) preserves the set’s authenticity. Ideal for collectors or practitioners of chadō, this ensemble honors the spirit of tea with elegance and intention.

Origin: Tokoname, Japan
Era: Showa Period (c. 1980s)
Material: Red Tokoname ceramic (unglazed exterior, glazed interior)
Use: Tea brewing and serving (sencha, gyokuro, hōjicha, etc.)
Features:

• Traditional kyūsu teapot with side handle

• Five teacups with calligraphic inscriptions

• Matching yuzamashi (cooling bowl)

• Original kiri wood storage box with inked calligraphy

• High-fired red clay with refined finish

Dimensions: --
Condition: Excellent vintage condition; minor marks consistent with age and use

A celebration of form and function, this Tokoname-yaki tea set is more than a vessel—it's a dialogue between clay, flame, and the quiet ritual of tea.