Two elegant vessels that bind a vow and a blessing.

A Pair for a Vow
“Kohaku Housai” pairs the Hananohikari cup with the Shiro Tenmoku cup — elegant vessels for the vows and blessings of a life. The old Imari dignity shared by both forms carries a philosophy once sought by those at the summit of the world, and speaks of the inner grace of the one who holds them. This beauty of style lends the highest dignity to occasions such as a wedding or a celebration of long life.

Crimson and White
The Hananohikari cup, wrapped in burning shinsha red, is the light of passion and vitality. The pure white Shiro Tenmoku cup gives off a still light that mirrors the inner cosmos of its owner. With the gold rims at the lip, they bind an enduring tie with nobility.

A Cup for a Solemn Moment
A drink exchanged in these cups is not merely a drink: in the solemn scenes of a life, it becomes a rite in which resolve and truth are exchanged. We would be honoured if you welcomed “Kohaku Housai” as a treasure to pass on to the next generation.

About Arita Ware
Arita ware is the origin of Japanese porcelain. In 1616, under the rule of the Saga domain lord Naoshige Nabeshima, pottery stone was found in what is now Saga Prefecture and production began. Because the wares were made in Arita and shipped from the port of Imari, they are also known as Imari ware. Carried to Europe by the Dutch East India Company — the only trading partner permitted during Japan’s period of national seclusion — the porcelain was called “white gold” and furnished the courts of royalty and nobility.

What Is a Guinomi?
A guinomi is a small cup for Japanese sake, held in one hand. Among sake vessels it is considered to hold a particularly high rank, and it is often chosen as the vessel for a special drink.

What Is a Meoto Pair?
A meoto pair is a set of two vessels intended to be used together by two people, most often a couple. In Japan it is a long-standing form of gift for a wedding, an anniversary, or a new home — the pair itself carries the wish.

What Is Tenmoku?
Tenmoku is a family of dark iron glazes that came to Japan from China and has been prized in the tea world for centuries. Yuteki tenmoku — oil-spot tenmoku — takes its name from the crystals that surface during firing and scatter across the black glaze like drops of oil on water. Several such bowls are designated National Treasures of Japan.

Why a Paulownia Box
Paulownia wood is light, resists moisture and insects, and moves with changes in humidity — which is why it has been used in Japan for centuries to store what is valuable. A piece delivered in a paulownia box arrives ready to give, and the box itself is part of the gift.

Contents and Dimensions
Sake cup × 2, paulownia box, booklet, turmeric-dyed cloth.
Mouth diameter: 8cm, Height: 3.5cm / Foot diameter: 3cm, Capacity: 60ml / Sake cup: approx. 58g, Boxed: 230g
As each piece is handmade, slight variations in size may occur.