Item Information

Japanese tea set Sumire 1.1[80201]

Our Selling Price: 33,500Yen (tax excl.)

Classy Japanese tea set

There are some times when people want to play it cool. For a relaxing evening with special guests, you need a mix of class and hospitality, which is what this set is for.
The saucers, plates, and tea caddy are of a classic Japanese design. The tea pot and cups are a more modern style while keeping Japanese taste in the details. This set forms a harmony of modern and classic Japanese styles. All items are made in Japan. The pot and cups are high quality Mino manufacturing. The saucers, plates, and tea caddy are fine traditional craft works of Japan.
Bring out this tea set for those most important occasions.

White Sumire teapot (Mino ware) 1pc.
White Sumire sencha-cup (Mino ware) 5 pcs.
Black Daruma sauser (Echizen laquer ware) 5 pcs.
Black squere plate (Echizen laquer ware) 2 pcs.
Mage tea caddy (Odate bentwood ware) 1pc.

Novel tall design

Traditionally, common Japanese teapots have been spherical or squat in shape. The tall silhouette projects a new look and sophisticated image. The charm and quality of this piece is found in the details, as well. The handle on the lid is a simple, fluid design. The curved, extended brim standing around the lid is beautiful. Even though it has these modern elements, it still portrays Japanese style in total balance. This could be a perfect teapot for introducing new Japanese tea style into your life.

The beauty of rounded surface

This cup is streamlined, without all the superfluous lines of classic sencha-cups. The absolute simplicity suggests the ultimate form of sencha-cup. Because of its accomplished design, it is at home in formal occasions, atop complimentary saucers, or at a casual meeting with friends, resting on coasters.

White porcelain tea set

Its surface gives off a delicate luster with a smooth touch. White is the best color for a cup to highlight the natural hue of tea. It is unusual for a Japanese teapot to be only white. Traditional Japanese teapots have some color, patterns, or drawing. However, daring to make it white with no decoration focuses attention on the radical new design of this teapot, and succeeded in creating a clear and sophisticated image. This simple tea set will never go out of style and can be your standard of excellence.

Contemporary design and reliable quality

The contemporary look was crafted by designers at Miyama. Miyama has been making high quality porcelains in Mino since 1977, and have a talent for creative design in white porcelain. This simple design will never go out of style and can be your standard of excellence.

A tradition of quality

Produced in the Toki, Tajimi, Mizunami, and Kani regions of Gifu prefecture with a 1300-year history, Mino ware accounts for over 50 percent of Japanese ceramics now. As “the way of tea” gained popularity about 400 years ago, craftsmen in Mino began producing artistic tea utensils. Shino (white and textured), Kizeto (yellow ocher), Oribe (green pattern over light gray base) and Setoguro (black) are representative of these crafts. Now, 15 types of Mino ware are government-recognized traditional crafts of Japan.
Nowadays, there are many manufacturers of Mino ware, with factories producing large numbers of these fine ceramics. A side variety of ceramics, including tableware, tiles, and tools are produced by inheriting the techniques of the past and being challenged to create new technologies for the future. Mino ware’s long history and high quality makes it a prime example of Japanese ceramics and an excellent addition to any collection.

Classic standby (saucer)

Daruma saucers have a graceful rounded design. The encompassing design in beautiful black lacquer highlights any cup placed on it. If you are looking for a Japanese classic saucer, this will be the article par excellence. Adding a little elegance like this saucer will bring your tea set to a new level of refinement.

The noble square (plate)

The austerity of superb tetragonal design is the highlight of this piece. Even the angle of edges is exquisite. The wooden body and urushi coating is a premium example of Echizen lacquer ware. This piece is a precious traditional craft. The slick design and quality work create an aura of sublime elegance. Perfect for occasions which call for grace and style, this plate is among our finest items.

Glorious black of urushi lacquer

The black is the representative color of urushi lacquer. The black is so profoundly deep that the lacquer’s name, urushi, is used to describe anything which is impossibly black in Japanese. The splendid black wares have a smart and slick appearance, and will compliment your urban life. You would be pleased with possessing a precious piece.

Japan lacquer ware

Nowadays, Japanese lacquer ware is crafted from two types of materials and two types of lacquer. The materials are wood and synthetic resin. Wood ware insulates well, and is good for keeping soups and teas hot. It is lightweight and pleasant to the touch. Synthetic resin is stronger against changes in temperature and not easily deformed. It can be used in the refrigerator. It is heavier than wood ware and does not insulate as well. However, synthetic resin ware is usually cheaper than wood ware, so that it can be used casually. The two types of lacquer are urushi and urethane. Urushi is made from the sap of the Urushi tree. It is the best of natural lacquers. The urethane is a synthetic lacquer to imitate urushi. It is not as good as urushi in the touch and smoothness, even though it is tougher against light and heat, and cheaper.

Echizen lacquer ware

Echizen is found in Ishikawa prefecture and is the home of this particular type of lacquer ware. Its history is believed to begin in the 6th century. The emperor at that time commissioned a lacquerer to re-coat his kanmuri, or formal headgear. In addition to re-coating the kanmuri, the lacquerer also presented the emperor a black lacquered bowl. The emperor was impressed with his work, and it is thought that this encouragement led to the establishment of Echizen lacquer as a special craft.
Several coats of lacquer are applied to each piece and left to harden naturally. Echizen pieces show no brush marks or blemishes, and are well-known for its smooth gloss and quality. Bowls, trays, and stacking boxes are the most common examples of this craft. Currently, the Japanese government recognizes 44 Master Craftsmen of this art.

Simple shape with natural decoration (tea caddy)

It is just a solid cylinder with no projections or decorations to be found. Even the seam of the lid is lost in the wood grain pattern. The only noticeable feature is the modest vertical seam which adds a gentle demeanor to the tea caddy. This leaves one free to appreciate the soft wood grain and perfect curves of this expertly-crafted tea caddy. The body and lids are precision-crafted to be a perfect fit. Double lids ensure the tea stays dry. By taking full advantage of the simple design and wood features, it has a superb presence as a supporting role in a tea set.

The fine wood grain and earthy color

Magewappa means bentwood ware; it is also called Mage. Only straight grain material from Akita cedar is used for these crafts. The straight grain does not only give a smart look, it is also less likely to warp than cross-grained material. The natural light beige color of Akita cedar is also part of the charm of these pieces. As a feature of the material, the color changes over time. As it ages, it takes on a darker, more dignified hue. The beautiful wood grain pattern and color hold a great appeal for anyone who appreciates natural charm.

Nationally-recognized Traditional craft of Japan

Odate lies in Akita prefecture, well-known for its supply of cedar wood. The craft originates from the Edo period (17th century), and produces a vast array of containers and tableware from high-quality timber. Akita cedar is highly flexible, with a fine straight grain and scent. They are made by thinly shaving the cedars. Then, the shavings are boiled, bent, and tied up with bark cherry blossoms. The curves of the products, which make the grains more noticeable, truly define the art. Ten government-recognized Master Craftsmen practice this art in Odate, producing everything from rice tubs, water jugs, trays and bento boxes, to coffee cups and beer tankards.

	Production region	Dimensions	Weight	Material	Coating / Glaze
White Sumire teapot	Mino (Gifu Japan)	12894h170mm (4.993.67h6.63in)	325g (11.5oz)	Porcelain	White glaze
White Sumire sencha-cup	Mino (Gifu Japan)	7373h64mm (2.852.85h2.5in)	104g (3.67oz)	Porcelain	White glaze
Black Daruma sauser	Echizen (Fukui Japan)	128128h23mm (4.994.99h0.9in)	73g (2.58oz)	Wood/resin composite	Black urushi lacquer
Black squere plate	Echizen (Fukui Japan)	150150h10mm (5.855.85h0.39in)	99g (3.49oz)	Wood	Black urushi lacquer
Mage tea caddy	Odate (Akita Japan)	8080h110mm (3.123.12h4.29in)	70g (2.47oz)	Wood	Urethane lacquer (outside only)
NOTE:	The wood was dryed and proccesed in Japan. If wooden items are used in a much drier climate for a long time, there will be a chance of cracking. The tea caddy is a very delicate piece, and can be damaged by water. It is made of natural materials. Therefore, each item has its own woodgrain pattern, and the one you purchase is not exactly the same as shown in pictures.

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