A charming vintage set of Mino-yaki 美濃焼 yunomi tea cups (湯呑) made by Kōtōen 幸陶苑, bearing the Kōsen 幸泉 name, and decorated in the auspicious Kicchō Aka-e style.
赤絵 (aka-e) refers to overglaze decoration in which red plays a dominant role, often combined with green, yellow, blue and other colours. Here, the lively aka-e palette is paired with the name 吉兆 (kicchō), meaning an auspicious sign or good omen, giving the design a celebratory feeling associated with happiness and good fortune.
Mino-yaki (美濃焼) comes from the historic pottery region of Mino in present-day Gifu Prefecture, one of Japan’s most important ceramic-producing areas. Mino ware encompasses an exceptionally broad variety of styles, ranging from rustic tea ceramics to colourful everyday tableware such as this set.
The straightforward form and bright auspicious decoration make these cups ideal for everyday Japanese tea, including sencha, bancha, hōjicha or genmaicha, while the matching set also works beautifully for serving guests.
Presented in its original signed wooden box, this is a lovely example of vintage Japanese tableware combining practical Mino craftsmanship with the joyful colour of traditional aka-e decoration.
Size: 5 x 5 x 8.5cm (Each)
