Japanese Shigaraki Tobikanna Tea Cup

This Japanese Shigaraki tea cup embodies the quiet beauty of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Finished in a deep charcoal-black tone, its softly rounded form features a richly textured surface created using tobikanna, a traditional Japanese decorative technique.

Tobikanna, also known as the jumping-plane technique, involves allowing a flexible metal tool to rhythmically skip across rotating clay, creating a series of fine, repeated incisions. The resulting markings bring depth, movement, and a distinctive tactile quality to the cup, with subtle variations that reflect the rhythm and character of the making process.

The cup’s gently flared rim and organic silhouette offer a harmonious balance of simplicity and texture. Its intricate surface catches the light in subtle ways, revealing the delicate interplay of raised and recessed markings against the dark, earthy finish.

Shigaraki ware (Shigaraki-yaki) is one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, celebrated for its expressive textures, natural materials, and centuries-old ceramic heritage. The cup’s understated form and tactile character reflect the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, where beauty is found in simplicity, irregularity, and the subtle traces of craftsmanship.

Both functional and sculptural, this tea cup brings a sense of quiet elegance to the everyday ritual of tea, inviting a more mindful appreciation of material, texture, and form.

Dimensions: Ø 2.6” × H 2.8”

Food-safe.

Hand-crafted in Japan.