Vintage item, never used. A charming Kyō-yaki 京焼 sake set (酒器), comprising a ceramic tokkuri 徳利 sake flask and two matching small sake cups, decorated with bold, playful Japanese calligraphy.
The set has a rustic, expressive character, combining deep black-brown glaze, warm earthy tones and contrasting creamy white surfaces. The irregular glaze transitions and visible texture give each piece a distinctly handcrafted appearance, while the raised and painted lettering adds a lively folk-art quality.
The two cups are playfully inscribed 「お父さん」 (Otōsan – Father) and 「お母さん」 (Okāsan – Mother), making the set especially charming as a pair. The larger flask is also decorated with bold Japanese characters, reinforcing the warm, informal character of the design. Rather than formal ceremonial ware, this set feels intimate and domestic—made for sharing sake together at home.
Kyō-yaki (京焼) refers to ceramics produced in and around Kyoto. Unlike pottery traditions defined by a single clay or glaze, Kyō-yaki is known for its remarkable variety, reflecting Kyoto’s long history as a centre of tea culture, craftsmanship and refined decorative arts. Pieces range from highly elegant painted porcelain to more rustic and freely expressive studio pottery such as this set.
