This delicate and elegant Kiyomizu-yaki porcelain yunomi (teacup) is hand-decorated with the auspicious shippo (七宝) crest using the icchin (イッチン) technique. Icchin involves loading slip (liquid clay) into a piping bag, and trailing it onto the pot to create designs with dimension. On this piece, each shippo-mon is further accented by alternating dots of silver and gold at their centre.

This cup is a perfect middle size for sencha or other teas. Cups of this size and shape are also called kumidashi (汲出) or senchawan (煎茶碗) to contrast them with the taller, cylindrical style of cup preferred for houjicha and bancha. The pure white of porcelain also allows you to appreciate the colour and clarity of the tea.

This cup was made by Takashima Shinichi (高島 慎一) of Kōshun Kiln (洸春窯), a third generation potter who specialises in cochin-style wares (kōchi-yaki).