Fukagawa Seiji Teacups - Set of 5

Set of five Fukagawa Seiji porcelain teacups, packaged in a wooden box. Fukagawa Seiji is renowned as an Arita ware style manufacturer, who is also an official supplier to the Imperial household of Japan.

The style is that of yunomi (湯のみ) - a traditional Japanese teacup with no ear, used for everyday tea drinking. The series name is "Hanran Banchawan" (翰蘭番茶碗) - "Hanran" means a type of orchid and "Banchawan" literally means "teacup for everyday tea".. The Mount Fuji with a stream and the kanji 深川製 (Fukagawa Sei) is the standard Fukagawa Seiji backstamp used from the late Meiji period onward.

The set was held in long-term storage and the tea cups are unused.

• Period of manufacture: 1970s - 1990s
• Contents: 5 identical Fukagawa Seiji tea cups, with orchid motif
• Packaging: Original wooden box
• Condition: Unused

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Founded in 1875 by Ezaiemon Fukagawa, Fukagawa Seiji (also known as Fukagawa Porcelain) is based in Arita, Saga Prefecture — Japan’s most famous porcelain-producing region. The Fukagawa family had been deeply involved in porcelain making even before the establishment of the company, tracing connections back to the early days of Arita ware in the 17th century.

Fukagawa Seiji gained international fame early on: in 1900, their work was awarded the Gold Medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle, a major world’s fair, boosting its reputation in the West. The company became an Imperial Household Purveyor in Japan, signifying the extremely high quality of its wares.

Today, Fukagawa Seiji remains one of the few traditional porcelain houses still operating, with a strong emphasis on handcraftsmanship, often blending traditional techniques with modern sensibilities. The porcelain ware produced is recognised by an elegant and refined style, often using a brilliant white base (thanks to fine Arita clay) and designs of flowers, birds, rivers, and landscapes. The porcelain is exceptionally fine and thin, showcasing the technical mastery inherited from centuries of Arita tradition.