Handcrafted Teacup: 200ml (7.04fl oz), diameter: 2.75inches (7.0cm) height: 3.54inches (9.0cm)
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Jihyoue Katoh at Jihyoue Kiln

This Yunomi teacup is refined and elaborate work. Two glazes are coated inside and outside the teacup, and its flow is quite beautiful. The teacup rim is flared, the middle of the side is full, and the bottom is tucked. The curve from the rim to the base is not only beautiful, but also lovely to hold in your hands. The form matching with the natural glaze flow also helps to create the unique aura.

YU means glaze, RYU means flow, and SAI means decoration in Japanese. As the name of this Yunomi indicates, two different glazes coat the unique shape of the Yunomi teacup. The lower layer of glaze has a strong color. In contrast, the upper layer is milky white. Those glazes are well mixed on the teacup, and create the unique color. The natural flow of the upper layer glaze also beautifully decorates the teacup.

Tremendous technique and prominent skills are required to create the natural flow of glaze inside and outside the teacup. The upper layer glaze, coated around the rim, melts and flows freely during firing in the kiln, depending on the temperature inside the kiln. Mr. Jihyoue Katoh carefully checks the temperature in the kiln, and decreases the temperature to stop its flow in order to create the color contrast between the lower and upper glaze.
Not only the temperature but also the teacup placement in the kiln and the thickness of the upper layer glaze around the rim decide the speed of the glaze flow. The temperature varies depending on the position in which the teacup is placed, and the glaze flows slowly when it is thickly applied. Mr. Jihyoue Katoh, who has vast technique, controls all of these various factors carefully, and creates very delicate works, in which no two are alike, and each one is unique.
In addition, only six Yunomi teacups can be fired at one time in order for Mr. Jihyoue Katoh to monitor each teacup carefully. Considering his efforts and his technique, this Yunomi is quite reasonable in price.

There is a deep, rich brown color along the tip of the glaze flow, which forms a pattern inside and outside the teacup. This dark brown color is crystallized glaze, which occurs during the firing process, and adds accent to the teacup.

Unique glaze flow and the color contrast between glazes create a graceful atmosphere. Each teacup has different expressions, and we Hibiki-an sincerely hope that you will one day find your most cherished teacup, that will truly enrich your green tea moment.

Specially packaged in a carton box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan.
(Please note that the glaze pattern is a little different in each work because of the features of the glaze.)