|
Tanba is one of
the original rokkoyo or pottery centers of Japan.
This area is referred to as one of the Six Old Kilns of
Japan ( along with Bizen, Echizen, Seto, Shigaraki, and
Tokoname ) and continues today to support the livelihood
of potters who carry on the tradition of their 800 year
old craft. Local artisans still fire their wares in
old-style anagama wood-fired kilns, which dot the village
of Tachikui and the surrounding hills. The natural
elements that comprise the unique appearance and style of
Tanba-yaki such as the local clay, the glazes and firing
techniques inherited from generations of skilled master
potters give this pottery a distinctive appearance.
We discovered these elegant teacups on a trip to Japan and
shipped a few of them back to the store for our customers.
We fell in love with the simplicity of their shape, the
lovely, confident feel of the thin, hard clay body and the
intricacy of the designs. The cups are well balanced, fit
the hand nicely and add much pleasure to the tea drinking
experience.
These cups are made from a graphite colored, smooth, hard
clay. Each cup is given a light application of glaze color
which adds simple bands or swirls of color that contrast
pleasingly with the unglazed matte finish. The overall
feel of the cups is one of lightness and balance and the
lip is well formed for easy drinking.
Made by Mr. Masashi Ohgami, Tanba, Japan |
