A work that expresses the joy of a starry sky.

A Galaxy of All Creation
Working from the technique of Yuteki Tenmoku (oil-spot tenmoku) — revered as a vessel of the nobility by warlords and men of letters in the age of the warring states, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi among them — Shinemon, master of Arita ware, created his own galaxy of all creation. The rims of this pair of coffee cups carry gold decoration and platinum decoration, signifying happiness without end. It is a masterwork that awakens in our hearts a joy toward the cosmos.

A Cup Before Work
A cup of coffee before heading to work. As your lips touch the cup, the mystery of the cosmos resonates in the heart, and your motivation for the work ahead rises.

The Great River of the Cosmos
A work through which the maker’s heart, moving to the rhythm of the cosmos, and a blessing from the cosmos itself seem to reach you. Uchu Taiga, the great river of the cosmos — the vast, moving body of cosmic life that flows on and on through every corner of the universe — is made of countless single drops gathered together. And there is wonder at the flickering stars of the cosmos.

A Gift for Someone Dear
Why not give this work, filled with the maker’s feeling, to someone dear to you? It is a masterwork whose power to move carries to every corner of the world.

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 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
Coffee cup × 2, booklet, paulownia box.
Cup / Height: 7.4cm Mouth diameter: 8.6cm Capacity: 240ml / Saucer / Height: 2.7cm Diameter: 15.2cm
As each piece is handmade, slight variations in size may occur.