Karatsu Ware Tea Set

Karatsu ware tea set, for the preparation and enjoyment of Japanese tea. The set includes one tea pot and five tea cups. The teapot has a bamboo handle and the cups have a slightly square shape when viewed from the top.

The substyle of the set is E-Karatsu (絵唐津) – “Painted Karatsu”. It features hand-painted designs, usually in iron oxide under a transparent glaze, with common motifs being grasses, birds and abstract patterns. The brushwork of E-Karatsu is loose and spontaneous.

The set is unused, sourced from long-term storage at Tokiwa Kunitake, a specialist seller, based in Kurume city, close to Karatsu City. It includes a leaflet by the 13th generation kiln where the set was produced, which outlines the history of Karatsu ware and the kiln's approach to firing.

• Teapot capacity: 180 - 200ml
• Tea cups top diameter: 5.5cm
• Tea cups height: 6.5cm
• Packaging: Protective wrapping in wooden box with Japanese leaflet

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Karatsu ware (唐津焼, Karatsu-yaki) is a traditional style of Japanese pottery from Karatsu, in Saga Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. It's known for its earthy, rustic beauty and understated elegance, often used for tea ceremonies and everyday ware. Common features include:

• Natural glazes (like ash or feldspar)
• Muted, warm colours—cream, brown, gray
• Brush-decorated designs like grasses, birds, or abstract motifs
• A focus on wabi-sabi aesthetics—beauty in imperfection

Karatsu ware dates back to the late 16th century and was heavily influenced by Korean potters.

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According to another regional potter, Naoki Kojima: "There is a saying in Karatsu ware that says, 'The creator is 80%, the user is 20%.' It means that the product is truly completed not only when it is made, but when it is used. The idea is that pottery can only reveal its beauty when it becomes a part of our daily lives."