A great cosmos in the palm: a Tortoiseshell Tenmoku chaire (tea caddy) by Shinemon II — the “king of tea utensils”, standing at the summit of history.

The King of Tea Utensils
The chaire is said to be the “king of tea utensils”, once sought by the warlords of the Warring States period in place of grants of land. Bearing that historical authority, this Tortoiseshell Tenmoku chaire may be called a living philosophy, distilling the ceramic art of Shinemon II, an associate member (kaiyu) of the Nitten (Japan’s largest art exhibition).

A Lost Technique, Re-created
The complex, deep expression spreading across the surface re-creates Tortoiseshell Tenmoku — a lost technique with its origins in the Southern Song dynasty of China 800 years ago — through Shinemon’s own secret methods. No two are ever alike: mysterious patterns rise to the surface, like a cosmos held in the hand.

Hard, Yet Smooth as Silk
Formed from the finest pottery stone and fired hard in a 1,300°C flame, the porcelain surface is firm yet as smooth as silk, conveying stillness to the fingertips. Its form, sitting snugly in the hand, embodies the ultimate “beauty of use” (yo no bi).

A Sanctuary of Your Own
The deep gradation of amber and black, and a tortoiseshell lustre that seems to draw you in, cleanse the weariness of daily life each time you gaze upon it and lead you beyond the everyday. The quiet time spent facing this “cosmos on the palm” over tea brings a spiritual richness that nothing can replace — a sanctuary that is yours alone.

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 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
Chaire (tea caddy) × 1, paulownia box, booklet.
Height: 7.2cm, Diameter: 6.3cm / Lid diameter: 3.9cm, Foot diameter: 4.1cm / Body: 116g, With box: 210g
As each piece is handmade, slight variations in size may occur.