Touan Kiln Iroe Hand Painted Sake Cup - Narcissus / 京・清水焼 陶葊 ぐい呑み

Founded in 1922 in the historic Higashiyama Sennyū-ji (東山泉涌寺) area of Kyoto, Touan Kiln (陶葊) is a respected kiln of Kyo-Kiyomizu ware (京・清水焼), known for its refined colours, strength, and continuous pursuit of innovation.

The kiln was established by Toshio Dobuchi (土渕俊雄), originally a master Kyoto roof-tile craftsman. The region surrounding Touan was historically rich in clay, and his technical skill was widely recognised — even the Japanese Gallery of the Tokyo National Museum, Japan’s oldest museum, features roof tiles made by him. This strong foundation in traditional craftsmanship shaped the philosophy of Touan from its very beginning.

While Kiyomizu ware is traditionally associated with overglaze decoration, Touan developed its own approach by applying colour before glazing and firing at an exceptionally high temperature of around 1,200°C. This process achieves both vivid, elegant colours and enhanced durability, a balance that is rarely found in Kiyomizu ware.

Using the traditional Iro-e (overglaze enamelling) technique, each piece is carefully hand-painted by artisans using richly coloured enamels. Inspired by seasonal flowers and nature, the designs are built through delicate brushwork — from soft shading and gradients to subtle variations in tone — then fired repeatedly to create depth and a gentle sense of dimension, much like a painting on ceramic. This meticulous process results in expressive yet refined tableware, where no two pieces are ever exactly the same, reflecting the warmth and individuality of hand craftsmanship.

Each piece is carefully shaped, glazed, and decorated by hand in Touan Kiln's Kyoto workshop, making every stand subtly unique. These gentle variations in colour, line, and expression are hallmarks of genuine craftsmanship — traces of the artisan’s presence in each stroke.

■ What's included? One (1) Sake Cup in a box

■ Designed and Made In Japan

■ Material: Pottery

■ Size: 6.5 cm diameter x 5 cm height