Tea sets and culture from Japan
Home|Products: CupsFluttered-edge tame Echizen lacquer coffee cup (120ml/4.2oz)
Item Information
Fluttered-edge tame Echizen lacquer coffee cup (120ml/4.2oz)

Fluttered-edge tame Echizen lacquer coffee cup (120ml/4.2oz) [080723]

Our Selling Price: 5,800Yen (tax excl.)
Quantity:

Comfortable fluttering edges


This design is unique. The scalloping edges are interesting. Japanese lacquer cups have a fine texture. It is different from porcelain cups. You will appreciate the warmth when you hold it. The profound color and unique design create a friendly appearance and can make this your favorite coffee cup.


  Indefinable “tame” color

Tame is one of the traditional colors of urushi coating. On first glance tame looks almost black, but it is actually dark wine red. The hue is profound and changes in different lighting. Tame ware usually shows lighter color around the edges. Urushi lacquer is a natural material, so its hue gets slightly brighter over time. You can enjoy the superb color change. Tame ware will lead a posh image to your table.


  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.



Production regionEchizen (Fukui Japan)
Serving120ml (4.23oz)
Dimensions
Cup97*76*h62mm (3.82*2.99*h2.44in)
Saucer171*110*h14mm (6.73*4.33*h0.55in)
Spoon125*27*h8mm (4.92*1.06*h0.31in)
Weight151g (5.33oz) (saucer and spoon included)
MaterialWood/resin composite
Coating / GlazeTame urushi lacquer