Never Used. This yunomi tea cup is a fine example of Shōdai-yaki 小岱焼, a traditional pottery from Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu, with roots dating back over 400 years to the early Edo period. Shōdai ware is celebrated for its rustic strength, natural ash glazes, and the expressive effects created by wood firing.
Under different angles and sunlight, the glaze shifts in tone from deep plum-brown to warm reddish hues, while the ash markings glow softly in natural light. The cup features a rich, earthy iron-brown glaze layered with natural ash tones that flow organically across the surface. The warm amber and golden splashes appear almost like falling leaves or drifting clouds, created by kiln transformation rather than deliberate painting. The glaze pools beautifully around the body, highlighting the subtle wheel-thrown ridges and giving the piece a tactile, wabi-sabi character.
Inside, the cup reveals a contrasting deep bluish-green glaze with fine crackle (kannyū), adding quiet depth and elegance to the drinking experience. The foot is neatly finished, showing the natural clay body typical of Shōdai ware, sturdy yet refined.
The base bears the kiln mark and retains its original regional sticker, and it comes with its original paper and box. A wonderful everyday tea cup that embodies the warmth and quiet strength of Kyushu folk ceramics, perfect for enjoying sencha or simply appreciating as part of a Japanese pottery collection.
