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THE PLEASURE OF JAPANESE TEA DRINKING

Tea is so much more than a cup of steaming water poured over dry tea leaves.

Tea drinking has long been a part of Japanese culture since tea was brought from China to Japan in the early ninth century

In the 16th century, Kyoto the specific brand of matcha was created for the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Today matcha tea can be purchased all around the world and the traditional Japanese tea cups have become available for every home. 

Exploring YŌNOBI’s modern selection of Japanese tea cups and bowls, you will discover an overall sense of Japanese inspired “Wabi” aesthetics - a rustic look that reveals the individual artist’s touches.

WHY DO JAPANESE TEA CUPS HAVE NO HANDLES?

Traditional Japanese ceremonial tea cups were originally made as bowls. This means the cup of tea invites you to grab it with your hands forming directly on the exterior of heated cup.

Japanese and Chinese tea is served at a lower temperature than western countries at around 70 degrees celsius. This way, the flavors of the tea product are accentuated for a preferable tasting experience.

JAPANESE TEA CUPS AS ARTWORK

Yunomi (Japanese: 湯のみ) is a traditional Japanese style of teacup. Characteristic for this Japanese style of ceramic artwork is the height of the cup. Yunomi cups are taller than they are wide. The style goes as far back as the 16th century, but since the style has evolved into different types of ceramic stoneware.

Where most Japanese people drink their regular tea from a Yunomi cup, a different style of cup, the chawan (Japanese:茶碗), is made for the special Japanese Tea Ceremony. Whisking the matcha powder with a small wooden instrument, chasen (Japanese: 茶筅), makes for a smooth matcha tea blend.

YŌNOBI’s selections of artist teacups get its inspiration from traditional Japanese aesthetics and philosophies.

YŌNOBI TEA CUP SETS

The Japanese traditions of wabi-sabi (Japanese: 侘寂) are brought to life in each of our tea cup sets, celebrating the imperfections our lives have. It is the beauty of life that all things change through time and nothing lasts forever. For the japanese tea cups wabi sabi is used to create a traditional style of the stoneware mugs. 

YŌNOBI embraces this traditional Japanese approach to life in every piece of art, we sell. The uniqueness and oddities of each piece of art make the japanese tea cups set perfect. It is perfectly imperfect.

Our tea cup selection assembles artists from all over the world. Even though the artists originate from different countries and cultures, they all share a common philosophy, designing cups based on traditional Japanese principles.

Yuka Ando Teabowl 

The beautiful silhouettes of the Yuka Ando teabowls are handmade by this featuring Japanese ceramic artist. A simple and timeless style of japanese ceramic tea cups perfect for every home.

Leon Serre Raku Ware

This featuring French artist uses the technique known as copper matte raku. The style originates from Kyoto and is used widely in Japanese tea ceremonies.

Hasami Porcelain with Lids

If you are looking to buy japanese pottery tea cups that goes perfectly with ro room funitures, the black and white tea cups by Hasami porcelain are great for a tidy home. You can match the cups with wooden lids. Keep your tea perfectly warm with tea cup lids made of wood.

WABI-CHA: TRADITIONAL JAPANESE TEA CEREMONIES

Have your interest in Japanese culture bloomed? The Japanese tea ceremony is one of the highlights of the old Japanese culture. Rooted on Zen Buddhist Philosophy the tea ceremony has become a carefully organized ritual in Japanese culture.

The Wabi-cha style of the tea ceremony was perfected with acknowledges Japanese tea master Sen Rikyu. Praising the simple ways of living, Wabi was embodied in the ceremonial tea utensils often made in a simple ceramic style, such as raku ware.