舞陶館 - 茶杯 - 陶瓷 - Marine Blue 煎茶

这是一个 refined set of five Sencha tea cups from Seto ware, titled “Sencha Zoroi” (煎茶揃), produced under the brand Mai Tōkan (舞陶館) of Seto, Aichi Prefecture – one of Japan’s most historic ceramic centers.

The most striking feature of this set is its vivid “Marine Blue” glaze. The surface reveals fine crackle patterns (kannyū), created by the natural difference in shrinkage between glaze and clay during firing. These delicate lines enhance the transparency and depth of the brilliant blue, giving the cups a jewel-like luminosity.

The foot (kodai) area is intentionally left unglazed, exposing the natural clay and creating a beautiful contrast between the rustic earthen texture and the glossy blue glaze above. This balance between modern color aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship is characteristic of contemporary Seto ceramics.

As indicated on the original wooden tomobako (共箱), the central inscription reads “煎茶揃” (Sencha Zoroi – set of Sencha cups), and the lower inscription reads “舞陶館” (Mai Tōkan). The red seal confirms the “Mai” mark.

These cups are ideally suited for sencha green tea, where the vibrant blue glaze enhances the fresh green color of the tea. They may also be used as sake cups, dessert bowls, or small side-dish vessels, reflecting their versatile modern design.

A complete five-piece set preserved in its original wooden box.

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Size

Height: 6.5 cm
Width: 8.5 cm
Depth: 8.5 cm

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Weight

121 g per cup × 5
Total weight with box: 1000 g

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Condition

Excellent vintage condition with no visible chips or cracks. The original wooden box shows minor storage wear consistent with age.

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Artist Profile

Mai Tōkan (舞陶館) is a Seto-based ceramic brand associated with contemporary production in Seto, Aichi Prefecture. Rooted in the long-standing traditions of Seto ware, the brand produces colorful and modern tableware that harmonizes traditional techniques with present-day lifestyle aesthetics.