Japanese Teacup Set of 2 Maple Leaf Yunomi Tea Cups Banko-yaki - 240ml

Name: Japanese Teacup Set of 2 Maple Leaf Yunomi Tea Cups Banko-yaki - 240ml
Brand: Artisanal Japan
Price: 119.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Japanese Teacup Set of 2 Maple Leaf Yunomi Tea Cups Banko-yaki - 240ml

$119.00

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About Japanese Teacup Set of 2 Maple Leaf Yunomi Tea Cups Banko-yaki - 240ml

A matched pair of handmade Japanese teacups (yunomi) by the Suigetsu kiln.
Each cup is decorated with Japanese maple leaves (momiji), a classic autumn motif in Japanese ceramics. The leaves are not painted. They are sandblasted into the clay itself: the surface is masked and the surrounding area is cut back to reveal the paler clay beneath, so the full detail of the leaf, its veins, serrated edges, and stem, is held in the surface. Because the design is part of the clay and not applied on top, it will not chip, scratch, or fade with use, and it gives the surface a subtle texture you can feel as you turn the cup.
The exterior is a dark, matte Banko clay with the potter's brushed marks still visible. The interior is a glossy dark glaze that lifts the color of the tea. Each cup has a trimmed foot and a gently flared rim that is comfortable at the lip.
Suited to everyday Japanese green tea: sencha, hojicha, or genmaicha.

Artist: Suigetsu Kiln
Origin: Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, Japan
Ware: Banko-yaki (dark iron-rich clay)
Form: Yunomi (teacup), matched pair, set of 2
Design: Japanese maple leaves (momiji), masked and sandblasted into the clay
Best for: Sencha, hojicha, genmaicha, everyday Japanese green tea
Capacity: approx. 240 ml
Care: Hand-wash only

Teaware Care

Japanese teaware is made to be used and enjoyed. With simple, consistent care, your kyusu, shiboridashi, hōhin, yunomi, and matcha ware can age beautifully over many years.

In most cases, the best approach is also the simplest: clean soon after use, use warm water, and allow every piece to dry completely before storing.

Everyday Care

After each tea session, remove the leaves and rinse your teaware as soon as possible. Letting wet leaves or tea sit for too long can lead to odors, staining, and moisture problems, especially in unglazed clay or more porous glazed wares.

For routine cleaning, warm water and a gentle hand rinse are usually enough.

Once rinsed, allow the piece to dry fully before storing it. This matters most for kyusu, shiboridashi, hōhin, and porous chawan, where moisture can linger in spouts, lids, filters, and clay bodies. Wiping with a clean cloth is fine, but air-drying is still important, especially for more absorbent wares.

What to Avoid

Avoid soap, bleach, harsh cleaners, and abrasive scrubbers on most handmade teaware.

This is especially important for unglazed interiors and porous glazes, which can absorb residues and affect the character of future brews. Dishwashers are also best avoided for most handcrafted teaware, as heat, detergents, and vibration can be hard on delicate or handmade pieces.

Unglazed Clay

Unglazed clay teapots and brewing vessels should generally be cleaned with water only. These clays can interact subtly with water and tea, and they may absorb soap or lingering aromas.

Tea stains in unglazed kyusu are not necessarily a problem. A gentle patina is often a natural part of regular use and can become part of the piece’s character over time.

Porous Glazes

More porous glazed wares need slightly more attention. Pieces with porous glazes can absorb moisture and slowly develop character through use.

Because of that porosity, these wares should be rinsed promptly after use and dried thoroughly. Soap is best avoided, since it can seep into the clay or glaze.

Kyusu Tips

Cleaning all of the leaves out of a kyusu can sometimes be difficult, especially with narrow openings or built-in filters.

A useful method is to fill the pot with water, swirl it gently to loosen the leaves, and pour them out. If small leaves cling to the filter, use a soft brush such as an old toothbrush very gently, then rinse again through the spout to ensure it is clear.

Storage

Store teaware only when completely dry. Trapped moisture can lead to mold or stale smells. For more absorbent pieces, give them extra air-drying time before putting them away in cupboards or boxes.