Okame and Hyottoko Japanese Teacup Pair

One cup in this pair is vermilion red, while the other is cobalt blue, with each color applied in visible brushstrokes that vary in intensity from deep and saturated to light and translucent. Look inside the rim and you’ll find a face: okame, the round-cheeked woman associated with good fortune, adorns the red cup, and hyottoko, her comic, pucker-lipped partner, in the blue. The two often appear side by side in Japanese festival dances, making them a natural pairing for a set of two.

Each cup is shaped like a soba choko cup, a traditional Japanese vessel used for serving noodle dipping sauce. The gently flared rim feels soft against the lips, and each 200 ml (6.8 fl oz) cup suits green tea, coffee, or juice. Together, they make a thoughtful gift for newlyweds or couples celebrating an anniversary.

Soukyu Kiln

Soukyu Kiln is a Kutani ware studio in Nomi, Ishikawa Prefecture, established in 2017. Ceramic artist Sakurai Chie and her husband run the kiln together.

Their work centers on gosai, the five traditional Kutani colors of red, blue, yellow, navy blue and purple. Using paints they blend themselves, they return each piece to the kiln as many times as it takes for the colors to settle as intended. The finished surfaces are vivid, clear and glossy, and they carry the warmth of work done by hand.

Kutani ware is a traditional Japanese porcelain from the Kaga region in Ishikawa Prefecture, with a history spanning over 350 years. Known for its vibrant overglaze enamel designs and use of five signature colors, known as Kutani gosai—navy blue, red, purple, green, and yellow pigments. This timeless craft has continuously evolved through generations of artisans who balance innovation with a deep respect for tradition. 

Kutani ware exhibits a diverse range of distinctive styles, shaped by evolving artistic tastes over the centuries. Styles such as ko-Kutani, with its bold colors, geometric patterns, and painterly detail, and akae-saibyo, marked by ultra-fine red lines. Many pieces feature traditional Japanese motifs, such as kacho (flowers and birds) and sansui (landscapes), offering a timeless glimpse into the beauty of nature and the seasons.