A work by Shinemon, a master who represents the world of Japanese ceramics.

Aoki-Myojo — the Blue Shining Star
On the jet-black tenmoku loved by the tea men of the warring states — Nobunaga and Hideyoshi among them — is Aoki-Myojo, Shinemon’s own ceramic technique, modelled on a shining star that lights the whole cosmos. This mug is finished at the rim with platinum decoration.

Black Against Blue
The expressive beauty of the glaze, set off by a dignified form, reaches into the realm of the aesthetic. The contrast of jet black and shining blue, together with a composed form that allows not the slightest slack, makes this one of the most artistic finishes among Shinemon’s works.

Gekkou — the Light of the Moon
The silvery rim at the lip, applied with the traditional techniques of Arita, signifies the light of the moon and brings out the character of the mug beautifully. It is a work that lets you feel the light of the cosmos down to the smallest detail.

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
Mug × 1, booklet, paulownia box.
Height: 9cm, Mouth diameter: 7.8cm / Capacity: 260ml, Weight: 270g
As each piece is handmade, slight variations in size may occur.