Handcrafted Teacup: 200ml (6.76oz) , diameter: 3.15inches (8cm) height: 3.35inches (8.5cm)
Traditional Kyo-Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Rakunyu Yoshimura at Rakunyu Kiln

This HIDAMARI NEKO Yunomi is a Raku-yaki style teacup. In Japan, Raku-yaki is regarded as the highest-grade tea ware used for the tea ceremony. This is a unique RAKUNYU product that challenges the development of unique Raku-yaki by using some of the traditional Raku-yaki techniques in its production process and fusing them with modern design.

HIDAMARI means sunny spot and NEKO means cats. Cats have long been cherished by the Japanese people. In Japan, cats were kept as pets as early as the 8th century, and were popular among emperors and aristocrats. Ukiyo-e paintings featuring cats were drawn during the Edo period and became very popular.

The bottom part of this Yunomi is large and the upper part is smaller. The mouth of the cup is intentionally uneven, giving it a soft feeling. The outside of the teacup is painted in a WAKAKUSA color (bright green), which is rare for Kyo-yaki, and the cats painted on it look as if they are relaxing on the grass.

The inside of the cup is decorated with a motif of UME blossoms, similar to a cat's pawprints, which adds a cute accent. Yunomi, painted in a rare WAKAKUSA color (bright green), is one of the most elegant examples of Kyo-yaki pottery.

Thus, the design and form are lovely, but at the same time, it is made in a simple and delicate manner using traditional Raku-yaki techniques. The inside is smooth, but the surface is rough, leaving the texture of the clay and giving it the rustic feel of Raku-yaki. The corners of the KOHDAI base have been cut off, a sign that the Raku technique has been adopted.

Raku-yaki has a water-absorbing property. If used for a long time, the surface aesthetic changes a little. It is also a feature of using Raku-yaki that the atmosphere becomes more WABI-SABI. WABI-SABI is a Japanese aesthetic and spiritual ideal that implies authentic simplicity and imperfect beauty.

Enjoy a relaxing green moment with this charming HIDAMARI NEKO Yunomi.

Specially packaged in a carton box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan
(Please note that there are individual differences in each piece and each piece is unique, due to the features of this work.)