Vintage Japanese Yunomi, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0805-2

Vintage Japanese Yunomi, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0805-2

A hand-painted blue-and-white porcelain yunomi with a fluid butterfly motif, presented in its original signed wooden keeper box.

A yunomi is a traditional Japanese handleless tea cup used for everyday drinking of green tea -- distinct from the more ceremonial chawan, the yunomi is prized for its relaxed, unpretentious warmth in the hand. This example is crafted in white porcelain with a luminous glaze and decorated in soft cobalt blue with a loosely painted butterfly design that wraps around the body with an almost ink-wash quality. The brushwork is fluid and expressive, capturing the butterfly mid-flight across a field of pure white -- a motif long associated in Japanese culture with transformation, good fortune, and the fleeting beauty of nature. The slightly flared rim, gently rounded belly, and clean unglazed foot ring reflect the considered proportions of vintage Japanese craft ceramics from the late Showa period.

Today, this vintage yunomi translates beautifully into a modern home as a daily-use tea or coffee cup, bringing a wabi-sabi aesthetic to your morning ritual. It works equally well as a living room accent piece displayed on a shelf or curio stand, or as a small bud vase for a single stem on a desk or windowsill. Collectors of Japanese vintage ceramics and Japandi-style interiors will appreciate the quiet sophistication of the blue-and-white palette. Presented in its signed wooden storage box -- a hallmark of collectible Japanese ceramics -- this piece makes a thoughtful and unique gift for Japanophiles, tea lovers, or anyone drawn to handcrafted Japanese ceramics with genuine character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Porcelain with white glaze and cobalt blue decoration
• Use: Everyday green tea drinking; yunomi for casual tea service
• Modern Use: Daily tea or coffee cup; decorative display piece in a Japandi or minimalist interior; small bud vase for a single flower stem
• Features: Cylindrical form with slightly flared rim and rounded belly; expressive freehand butterfly motif in cobalt blue applied to white porcelain ground; clean unglazed foot ring; blue wash visible on interior base; accompanied by original signed wooden keeper box with calligraphic inscription and red seal
• Dimensions: 2 3/4"Diameter x 3 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A quietly beautiful piece of vintage Japanese ceramic art -- one that brings the meditative spirit of the tea tradition 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.