Vintage Japanese Kansai Fine China Tea Cup Set | 5 Piece Cobalt Blue Saucer Gold Leaf Porcelain | Modern Tableware Collectibles Jade Leaves

The Story Behind This Piece:

Nestled within the rich, bountiful nature of the Chugoku Mountains, in a mountainous region in the northern part of Hiroshima Prefecture where winter transforms the landscape into a deep world of silvery white, stands a quiet, historic residence. Deep within the grounds of this traditional folk house, which has woven the lives of several generations since the Meiji period, sits an old storehouse protected by heavy, thick plastered walls. When the heavy wooden doors of this storehouse, where time seemed to have stopped entirely, were opened for the first time in a quarter of a century, a magnificent vintage masterpiece emerged from the dim darkness, quietly reflecting the light—a beautiful porcelain work adorned with delicate gold-leafed foliage, crafted under the direction of the world-renowned genius designer, Kansai Yamamoto.

This exquisite piece was created during the 1980s, a golden era when exceptional Japanese craftsmanship and avant-garde modern design achieved a fortunate and harmonious fusion. During this period, Kansai Yamamoto, who was rewriting the rules of the fashion world in Paris and London, sought to transcend the boundaries of apparel. He attempted to reflect his passionate, vivid design philosophy into the realm of tableware that colors people's daily lives most intimately. This masterpiece was born as the crystallization of that very vision. Against the crisp, translucent white of high-quality porcelain, a deep lapis lazuli glaze that looks as though a piece of the night sky has been captured is beautifully blurred, upon which three-dimensional golden leaves that retain the memory of precise handwork are elegantly rendered. It completely transcends the realm of ordinary mass production, standing as a pinnacle of Japanese beauty that possesses significant Mingei cultural value in the modern era.

The original owner of this beautiful vessel was the young lady of a distinguished family that had managed vast local forestlands for generations in northern Hiroshima. While harboring a deep admiration for sophisticated urban culture, she passionately loved the natural beauty of the mountain village where she lived, and she regularly held small cultural salons and tea gatherings in her spacious tatami room, inviting local residents and intellectuals. In the cheerful and vibrant atmosphere of the 1980s, these vessels served as the centerpiece of her salon, delighting the eyes of visiting guests. On a fresh afternoon of early summer, she would pour aromatic homegrown roasted green tea, admiring the brilliant contrast between the fan-shaped gold accents and the green touches inside the cups. On an autumn evening, she would pair them with favorite seasonal wagashi, discussing the deepening beauty of the season. Its modern yet traditionally rooted presence was a special symbol of a refined lifestyle.

However, as the late 1990s approached, the tide of the times shifted, and people's lifestyles transitioned toward greater simplicity and rationality. With the passing of generations and the busy nature of modern life, opportunities to host large salons naturally decreased, and these special vessels gradually lost their stage. Fearing that they might be broken, the family handled these vessels, which were filled with precious memories, with the utmost care and decided to store them away in the darkness of the storehouse of their traditional house in northern Hiroshima, where the art pieces and tools of their ancestors slept. Protected from all light, with temperature and humidity kept perfectly constant throughout the year, the dark storehouse became a flawless time capsule for the vessels, where they continued to sleep peacefully in an absolutely immaculate, flawless condition for a quarter of a century.

Time flowed on, and in the modern Reiwa era, a sustainable renovation and an authentic clearing of the storehouse were undertaken to healthily pass this historic folk house down to the next generation. When the doors of the storehouse were thrown open to pass this beauty on to modern users, these vessels made a miraculous return to the world, once again radiating an overwhelming brilliance under the contemporary light, a brilliance that had not diminished in the slightest despite the passage of nearly half a century. The deep emotion we feel today when holding this vessel is not mere nostalgic retro sentimentality. It is nothing less than the spirit of "wabi-sabi," unique to Japan, which finds true beauty in the subtle irregularities of handwork within perfect porcelain, in the imperfect, and in the profound passage of time itself.

This vintage masterpiece exudes a timeless charm that beautifully harmonizes with diverse modern lifestyles and contemporary interior spaces. Beyond traditional tea times with green tea or roasted green tea, it satisfies modern creativity, allowing you to use the cups independently for fragrant espresso or herbal teas, while utilizing the beautiful lapis lazuli saucers to serve small confections or amuse-bouches. Having undergone a long sleep amidst the rich nature of Hiroshima and wearing a matured story upon its body, this vessel will surely bring deep intellect and a luxurious, mindful moment to your daily dining table. We warmly invite you to welcome this one-of-a-kind vintage piece, where historical romance and monumental design fuse, as the new centerpiece of your mindful, beautiful life.

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:

Height: 5.2 cm (2.05 in)
Base Diameter: 3.9 cm (1.54 in)
Rim Diameter: 8.8 × 8.8 cm (3.46 × 3.46 in)
Maximum Circumference: 28.1 cm (11.06 in)
Weight: 105 g (3.70 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.