Wash by hand with warm water and a soft cloth or sponge, using a mild washing-up liquid when necessary. Pat dry with a towel or air dry naturally. Do not put in dishwasher or microwave.
Teacup
Tokoname Kuro
Akira Koie
SKU
0126
A black, wood-fired Yunomi teacup made from paddy field clay and covered in a plant ash glaze for a natural, organic finish. Handcrafted in Tokoname by contemporary Japanese potter, Akira Koie.
| Item | Yunomi teacup |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tokoname, Aichi, Japan |
| Artist | Akira Koie |
| Volume | 180ml |
| Dimensions | Ø7.5 x 6.8cm |
| Material | Clay |
| Colour | Black |
| Artist mark | Seal to base |
Each piece is handmade and unique, therefore colour, volume and dimensions may vary slightly
Akira Koie 鯉江明
Born in the historic pottery town of Tokoname in 1978, Akira Koie's interest in ceramics was stoked after helping his father: renowned ceramic artist Ryoji Koie (1938-2020), build a wood-fired kiln – which he continues to use today.
Besides learning from his father, Akira Koie draws much inspiration from his fascination for ancient ceramics, which he first encountered while taking part in an excavation of medieval Tokoname kiln ruins. He has since constructed and restored numerous kilns across Japan and South Korea, where he also studied traditional techniques under a master potter.
Bringing the past to the present, Koie's rugged, utilitarian pieces are also naturally influenced by the materials he finds around his countryside studio to make his own clays and glazes. All this combined with the unpredictable beauty of wood-firing results in singular works of remarkable strength, warmth and organic vitality.
Yunomi 湯のみ
Literally a “utensil for drinking hot water,” the Yunomi is a tall, cylindrical Japanese teacup that is typically made of ceramic and does not have a handle. It can be used for drinking all kinds of Japanese tea – with the exception of Matcha, which is prepared and served in a Chawan tea bowl. Please use both hands when drinking from a Yunomi: one hand around the cup to hold it, and the other underneath to support. Since Japanese teas are served at temperatures below 80°C the Yunomi should not be too hot to handle, and will provide extra warmth to the hands during colder months. For this reason, Japanese teas that are served at higher temperatures, such as Hojicha, Genmaicha, and Bancha are particularly recommended for Yunomi.
Tokoname-yaki 常滑焼
Pottery has been produced in the city of Tokoname, Aichi prefecture, as far back as the 12th century, and since 1976 has been protected as a Traditional Craft of Japan. Tokoname was the site of the largest and oldest of the legendary Rokkoyō (六古窯): the “Six Ancient Kilns” of Japan, and is celebrated for its iron-rich Shudei (朱泥) "red clay" that turns a bright red after firing. When fired a second time in a reduction oven, the red Shudei turns black – another characteristic colour of Tokoname-yaki.
