Karatsu Ware Yunomi Set — Nakazato Tarouemon XIII Kiln HIGHLIGHTS Set of six yunomi tea cups by Nakazato Tarouemon XIII (中里太郎右衛門十三代), head of one of Karatsu's most celebrated kiln families Each cup showcases a different classic Karatsu glaze tradition: Ki-Karatsu, Chosen-Karatsu, E-Karatsu, Karatsu Tenmoku, Madara-Karatsu, and Karatsu Kohiki Complete with the original compartmented tomobako, each cup in its own labeled space, lid signed and sealed by the kiln Each cup carries the kiln's stamped mark (kodai-in) on the foot Produced at the historic Nakazato kiln in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, whose lineage traces back some 400 years Excellent condition throughout, with no chips, cracks, or restoration A rare chance to acquire a single-kiln survey of Karatsu's principal glaze techniques in one cohesive set Product Details This set of six yunomi brings together the defining glaze traditions of Karatsu ware under a single maker's hand. Turn one cup after another and the range becomes tangible: the warm ochre of Ki-Karatsu, its surface carved with soft vertical grooves; the pale ash-grey wash of Chosen-Karatsu, thinning to reveal the clay beneath; the loose, brushed grass motif rendered in iron under the E-Karatsu glaze; the near-black, faintly speckled sheen of Karatsu Tenmoku; the amber ground of Madara-Karatsu where a milky glaze runs and pools along the wall; and the soft, textured white of Karatsu Kohiki. Each cup sits comfortably in the palm, its weight settling between roughly 120 and 150 grams, with the slightly uneven, hand-thrown walls typical of Karatsu work. Made by Nakazato Tarouemon XIII, the set comes complete with its original compartmented tomobako, each cup nested in its own labeled space, the box lid signed and sealed by the kiln. Artist Profile 中里太郎右衛門 十三代 (Nakazato Tarouemon XIII), born Nakazato Tadao (中里忠夫) in 1923 in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, and known by his Buddhist name Nakazato Hoan (中里逢庵) in later life, was the eldest son of Nakazato Muan (12th generation Nakazato Tarouemon), who was designated a Living National Treasure for Karatsu ware. At his father's urging — who valued painting skill as a foundation for ceramic work — he studied design at the Tokyo Higher School of Industrial Arts before returning to Karatsu. He was first selected for the Nitten exhibition in 1951, received the Hokuto Prize in 1956, and won a special selection prize in 1965. In 1969 he succeeded the family name as the 13th generation Nakazato Tarouemon. His later honors include the Nitten Prime Minister's Award in 1981 and the Japan Art Academy Award in 1984, and in 1992 he was recognized as a holder of Saga Prefecture's Important Intangible Cultural Property designation for Karatsu ware. He also served as chairman of the Japan Craft Association. Building on his father's work reviving the aesthetics of Ko-Karatsu (old Karatsu), the 13th generation developed his own decorative vocabulary while remaining rooted in the kiln's historic techniques. He passed away in 2009. Condition & Specifications Condition: Excellent for age. No chips, cracks, or restoration. While this is a vintage piece, it shows no visible signs of use and retains its original appearance in outstanding condition. Firing Note: Each foot shows a small cluster of pin-shaped kiln support marks (mekuware/chatto) left by the tools used to separate the pieces during firing. These are a natural result of the traditional firing process, not damage. Ki-Karatsu: H approx. 7.1 × D approx. 6.5 cm, 123 g Chosen-Karatsu: H approx. 7.5 × D approx. 6.6 cm, 130 g E-Karatsu: H approx. 7.5 × D approx. 6.3 cm, 149 g Karatsu Tenmoku: H approx. 7.5 × D approx. 6.5 cm, 151 g Madara-Karatsu: H approx. 7.1 × D approx. 6.5 cm, 121 g Karatsu Kohiki: H approx. 7 × D approx. 6.3 cm, 125 g No. of Items: 6 yunomi, complete with original tomobako Material: Stoneware Kiln mark: kodai-in (stamped mark) on the foot of each cup Box: original tomobako, the lid inscribed "Karatsu ware chawan" and signed "Nakazato Tarouemon, 13th generation," sealed with the kiln's red seal About Karatsu Ware and Key Terms What is Karatsu ware? Karatsu ware (Karatsu-yaki) is a stoneware tradition centered on Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, dating back roughly 400 years to techniques introduced from the Korean peninsula. Prized for its earthy textures and restrained, natural glazes, it has long been favored by tea practitioners and remains one of Japan's most historically significant ceramic traditions. Ki-Karatsu refers to a warm, straw-yellow glaze produced from an iron-and-ash mixture fired in an oxidizing atmosphere, one of the oldest and most recognizable Karatsu glaze types. Chosen-Karatsu ("Korean Karatsu") combines two contrasting glazes — typically an iron-black glaze paired with a pale, ash-based feldspathic glaze — that run and blend during firing, a technique reflecting the Korean origins of Karatsu's earliest potters. E-Karatsu ("painted Karatsu") features underglaze iron-brushed decoration, often simple plant or grass motifs, applied beneath a translucent ash glaze. Tenmoku denotes a family of iron-rich glazes that fire to a dark brown or near-black tone, sometimes with a subtle sheen; here adapted to the Karatsu clay body and firing tradition. Madara-Karatsu ("mottled Karatsu") is characterized by a milky, opaque feldspathic glaze that breaks into soft grey or bluish mottling where it pools and thins over the clay. Kohiki describes a technique in which a dark clay body is coated with a white slip and a transparent glaze, producing a soft, snow-like surface that often develops fine textural variation with age and handling. Kodai refers to the foot ring of a ceramic vessel, often left partially unglazed to reveal the clay body, and traditionally the location where a kiln's mark is stamped. Tomobako is the original wooden storage box made for a specific piece, typically inscribed and sealed by the artist or kiln as a mark of authenticity and provenance. Shipping Information: Items are shipped from Japan with tracking and insurance included. The carrier and shipping method are selected according to the destination and current international shipping conditions to ensure safe and reliable delivery. 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