Japanese Mino Ware | Shusen Kiln Tea Set | Handmade Ceramic Teapot | 5 Yunomi Cups | Rustic Shino Glaze | Wabi Sabi | Artisan Pottery Decors

The Story Behind This Piece:

In a remote mountain village in northern Hiroshima Prefecture, within a 150-year-old traditional farmhouse (kominka) that once served as a post town residence, these exquisite tea vessels were discovered. Behind the heavy doors of a thick-walled clay storehouse (kura), the memories of Japanese life from the late Edo period to the Showa era were neatly preserved. During a recent clearing of the estate, these Shino-ware tea sets from the renowned Shusen Kiln of Mino were found deep inside a paulownia wood box, seeing the light of day for the first time in decades.

These pieces are estimated to have been crafted during the mid-to-late Showa era, specifically around the 1970s and 1980s. This was a period when the spirit of the "Mingei" (Folk Crafts) movement—pioneered by Soetsu Yanagi—was vibrantly alive in regional kilns across Japan, encouraging a rediscovery of the warmth in handmade everyday objects. The Shusen Kiln in Mino sought to revive the grand, free-spirited beauty of Momoyama-period ceramics, pursuing deep expressions of Shino glaze. As seen in the images, the fire-red "hiiro" blushes emerging through the snow-white glaze and the fine pinholes known as "yuzuhada" (citron skin) are testaments to the struggle between fire and earth within the kiln. These are accidental beauties of nature that mass-produced modern items can never replicate.

The former owner is said to have been a local retired school principal who dedicated his life to community education. His traditional home was a gathering place for former students, local youth, and traveling literati. The owner valued the "tea of everyday life"—hospitality from the heart—above the rigid formalities of the tea ceremony. This teapot (ushirote-kyusu) and set of five teacups were commissioned for occasions where people would gather around a sunken hearth (irori) on cold winter evenings, sipping hot sencha and discussing the future. The sturdy presence of the teapot and the uniquely expressive teacups provide a surprising sense of security when cradled in the palms. Shino ware’s characteristic thick glaze offers excellent heat retention, serving to keep conversations warm during the harsh winters of the Hiroshima mountains.

Why were such masterpieces tucked away in a storehouse? It was simply because the culture of taking the time to brew tea in a teapot gradually gave way to more convenient methods as lifestyle habits changed. Following the owner's passing in the early Heisei era, his family decided to store them deep in the kura, thinking, "These are precious mementos of our predecessor, too special for ordinary use." This was not an act of forgetting, but rather a quiet slumber, waiting for a time when a "richer sense of time" worthy of these vessels would return to our lives.

The decision to bring them out of the storehouse now, after nearly half a century, stems from the realization that modern society is once again seeking the essence of "wabi-sabi" and the value of "handicraft." These Shusen Kiln vessels possess a profound "Mingei value" that transcends mere antique status. The bold, abstract iron-glaze drawings on the white Shino surface evoke images of Japanese snowy landscapes or resilient pine trees. The joy of "growing the vessel"—where tea stains gradually permeate the crazing (kannyu) over years of use—is the ultimate luxury for calming the mind in today's digital world.

To own this tea set is not merely to acquire tableware. It is to inherit the warm history of dialogue nurtured in a Hiroshima farmhouse and to invite "stillness and warmth" into your daily life. We sincerely hope that this Shusen Kiln tea set, embodying the spirit of wabi-sabi with its rugged yet delicate form, will find new life and breath at your table.

Condition & Notes:
Please note before purchasing.
This is a vintage or antique item sold as-is.
Due to age and long-term storage, natural signs of wear and aging may be present, including:
* small scratches or scuffs
* fading or discoloration
* glaze irregularities or imperfections
* crackling (crazing), kiln marks, or gold wear
* slight warping or age-related changes in wooden parts
Vintage and antique items may also carry natural storage-related scents from wood, paper, lacquer, smoke, or long-term preservation environments.
These characteristics are part of the individuality, historical character, and quiet beauty that vintage Japanese items carry.
They are not flaws, but the gentle traces of time.
We kindly ask for your understanding that vintage and antique items differ from newly manufactured products.
We do our best to show all notable details in the photos, but some small imperfections may not be fully visible.
Please review the dimensions carefully before purchasing, as photos may make items appear larger or smaller depending on display settings and shooting conditions.
Please note that colors may appear slightly different depending on lighting conditions and screen settings.
Only the items shown in the photos are included unless otherwise stated.
Display stands, decorative props, or accessories used for photography are not included unless explicitly stated.
Thank you for appreciating the character and spirit of these timeworn pieces.

Dimensions:

■Kyusu Teapot
Height: 12.5 cm (4.92 in)
Depth: 9.5 cm (3.74 in)
Width: 13.7 cm (5.39 in)
Base Diameter: 5.4 cm (2.13 in)
Rim Diameter: 6.2 × 6.2 cm (2.44 × 2.44 in)
Maximum Circumference: 23.6 cm (9.29 in)
Weight: 420 g (14.82 oz)

■Teacup
Height: 5.5 cm (2.17 in)
Base Diameter: 4.4 cm (1.73 in)
Rim Diameter: 6.9 × 6.9 cm (2.72 × 2.72 in)
Maximum Circumference: 32.7 cm (12.87 in)
Weight: 150 g (5.29 oz)

Shipping Information:
All items are shipped from Hiroshima, Japan.
Orders are usually dispatched within 3–5 business days after payment is confirmed.
For shipments to the United States, we use DHL Express or UPS with full tracking and insurance.
For all other destinations, orders are shipped via DHL Express, UPS, or Japan Post EMS depending on the destination and shipping conditions.
Each item is carefully packed with protective materials to ensure safe delivery.
Estimated delivery time is approximately 7–14 business days depending on customs procedures, local delivery conditions, weather disruptions, and customs inspections.
International Buyers – Duties, VAT & Taxes:
Import duties / customs duties are covered by us for all available shipping destinations.
However, VAT, GST, consumption taxes, customs processing fees, carrier handling fees, and other local import-related charges are not included in the item price unless otherwise stated.
These charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
Depending on your country’s regulations, these charges may be collected either by local customs authorities or by the shipping carrier upon delivery.
For many higher-value international orders, VAT/GST and import-related processing charges are commonly collected at the time of delivery.
Please note that free shipping or customs duty coverage does not mean that VAT/GST or local import-related charges are included.
Even when customs duties are covered by us, VAT/GST and local import-related charges may still be payable separately by the buyer upon delivery.
We do not mark items as gifts or under-declare their value for customs purposes.
Please ensure that your shipping address and contact information are accurate and complete.
If a package is returned due to an incorrect address, unpaid VAT/GST or import-related charges, refusal, or failed delivery, all return and reshipping costs are the buyer’s responsibility.
International deliveries may occasionally experience delays due to customs procedures or local postal conditions.

Damage During Shipping:
In the unlikely event that your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 10 days of delivery and provide clear photos of:
* the damaged item
* the outer shipping box
* the inside packaging condition
* the shipping label
Please keep all packaging materials and damaged items until the shipping carrier completes the investigation.
Minor imperfections consistent with the nature of vintage or antique items are not considered shipping damage.

Returns & Refunds:
All items are vintage or antique and sold as-is.
Due to the nature of vintage and antique items, we generally do not accept returns, cancellations, or refunds except where required by law or covered by shipping insurance.
Returns or refunds are not accepted for reasons such as:
* change of mind
* customs delays
* minor differences in condition
* color differences
* texture variations
* size impression differences
* natural signs of age and wear
However, if severe loss or damage during shipping is officially confirmed by the carrier’s insurance, we will respond within the scope of the insurance coverage.
For customers in the UK and EU, applicable consumer protection laws and cooling-off rights will take precedence where required by law.

Safety & Usage:
These items are decorative vintage or antique pieces intended for adult collectors.
They are not toys and are not suitable for direct food use.
Vintage ceramics may contain historical materials or glazes that do not meet modern food safety standards.
We cannot guarantee suitability for modern food, beverage, dishwasher, microwave, oven, or direct cooking use.
Please enjoy them as decorative objects that bring quiet beauty and history into your space.
Handle with care and avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, direct sunlight, or heat.

Liability Disclaimer:
We cannot be held responsible for any accidents, damage, allergic reactions, injury, loss, or issues resulting from the use, handling, aging, restoration, transportation, or storage of vintage or antique items.
All products are sold as decorative vintage collectibles, and customers are responsible for proper handling, display, usage, and storage.
By completing your purchase, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

Additional Notes by Region:
■ United States
State taxes, such as Sales Tax, may be collected according to local regulations.
California Proposition 65:
Some vintage items may contain historical materials such as natural lacquer, pigments, metals, or antique finishes. This notice is provided for informational purposes only.
■ European Union (EU)
Our shop is not registered for IOSS or EU VAT collection.
Import VAT, customs processing fees, handling charges, or other import-related charges may be collected upon delivery according to local regulations.
These charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
■ United Kingdom
Our shop is not registered for UK VAT collection.
Import VAT and related charges may be collected upon delivery.
The buyer will be considered the importer of record for customs purposes.
■ Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand
Import VAT/GST, customs processing fees, handling fees, carrier fees, or other import-related charges may apply according to local regulations.
For Taiwan:
Registration with the EZ WAY app may be required for customs clearance.
■ Hong Kong
Hong Kong currently does not generally impose VAT/GST on imported goods.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions regarding our items, shipping, usage, dimensions, or condition, please feel free to contact us before purchasing.
We’re happy to assist you and will do our best to respond as promptly as possible.
Thank you for considering a piece from our kura — each item carries a quiet story shaped by time in Japan.
This piece is part of our curated collection discovered in rural Japan.
On our official website, we share:
– the story of the kura (traditional Japanese storehouse) where this item was discovered
– background on how similar objects were once used in everyday life
– exclusive collections and pieces not listed elsewhere
We hope these objects will continue their quiet journey with you.