Japanese Kyoware Green celadon glaze Mishima and shinogi carving Tea coffee cupUnique handmade Kyoto (with paulownia wood box and handwritten calligraphy)

Kyo Ware (Kiyomizu Ware)

綠釉三島 Green céladon Glaze Mishima-Carved Yunomi Teacup

This Kyo ware (Kiyomizu ware) green-glaze Mishima and shinogi-carved teacup is one of the curator’s favorite pieces in the collection.

This yunomi embodies the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi — elegance, simplicity, imperfection, and natural beauty.
I regard this masterpiece as one of the perfect example of Japanese pottery mastery. Made by master in ancient capital Kyoto where thousand years of pottery tradition. and it was forged by using such multiple different styles and techniques from different regions in east Asia and Japan.

first The master artisan has developed a unique green glaze by blending celadon and ash glazes, creating a soft and luminous surface which pays tribute to the prestigious and mysterious song dynasty Chinese green celadon (still be regarded as the peak of pottery world today)

This work employs the traditional Mishima technique, an inlay and carving method known for its delicate curved lines and intricate patterns. Designs are carved into leather-hard clay, the grooves are filled with contrasting slip or glaze, and the surface is carefully scraped to reveal sharp, inlaid motifs.

Originally developed in Korea as Sanggam and later adopted in Japan as Mishima, this technique allows for fine floral, geometric, and abstract designs, often finished under a clear glaze.

The gently shaved surface conveys warmth and a subtle tactile impression, revealing the quiet presence of the maker’s hand.

it also has the unique traditional shinogi 鎬 carving technique signified by its vertical carved grooves. historically, the word 鎬 (しのぎ / shinogi) does indeed come from the ridge line of a Japanese samurai sword helps reinforce the strength of the blade.
while in pottery Shinogi refers to sharply carved vertical ridges cut into the clay body before firing.

A shinogi cup carries vertical rhythm — like marks of time.
The ridges catch light and shadow.
It feels firm in the hand.
It does not slip.
It has endured shaping, trimming, firing. this is what SHINOGI originally means : endurance!

The hand-drawn and hand-carved patterns create a subtle three-dimensional depth that cannot be found in mass-produced printed wares. The form and decoration reflect the refined and iconic style of Kyoto ceramics.

Each piece is handmade and hand-painted. Slight differences in shape, color, and pattern are a natural part of its handcrafted character.

In addition, variations in firing conditions and glaze flow ensure that every piece has a unique appearance.

last but not least : Natural crazing — fine crackle patterns formed as the glaze cools after firing — may appear and vary from piece to piece, giving each work its own individuality and depth.

Please enjoy this teacup as a one-of-a-kind vessel whose character deepens and grows more beautiful with every use.

The teacup comes with a traditional paulownia wood box (kiribako), featuring Japanese calligraphy and stamps.

⸻

About Kyo Ware (京焼) / Kiyomizu Ware (清水焼)

Kyo ware is one of Japan’s most representative traditional ceramic arts, born in the ancient capital of Kyoto — a city that has been the cultural and spiritual heart of Japan for over a thousand years.

Kyo ware is also known as Kiyomizu ware, as it was originally produced in kilns along Kiyomizu-zaka, the road leading to the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Pottery production in Kyoto dates back to the late 5th century. To meet the refined demands of the aristocracy and tea masters, ceramic techniques from China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and other regions of Japan were introduced and carefully preserved in Kyoto.

From the 16th century onward, Kyo ware flourished under the influence of the great tea master Sen no Rikyū, founder of the wabi-cha tradition of the Japanese Way of Tea.

In a broad sense, Kyo ware encompasses all ceramics produced in the Kyoto region, using a wide range of materials and techniques — including the world-renowned Raku ware.

⸻

Care: Hand wash only
Size: Approx. 290 ml / 12 cm × 8 cm

Shipped from Québec, Canada
Free Japanese-style gift wrapping available upon request