Bizen Ware Coffee Cup & Saucer by Yayoi Shimizu

A Light and Elegant Expression of Traditional Bizen Ware

Enjoy your daily coffee ritual with this beautifully handcrafted Bizen Ware Coffee Cup and Saucer, created by Japanese ceramic artist Yayoi Shimizu in Okayama, Japan.

While Bizen Ware is often associated with a bold and earthy appearance, this piece offers a softer and more delicate expression of the tradition.

The outside of the cup has a light, warm white surface, created by positioning the piece farther away from the kiln's fire during firing. Inside the cup, a gentle reddish-orange hue spreads across the clay, revealing the natural interaction of earth and flame.

The combination of the soft exterior and warm interior gives this coffee cup a calm, refined character that is particularly well suited to everyday use.

A Traditional “Hidasuki” Pattern Created by Fire

The red lines running across the triangular saucer are a traditional Bizen firing effect called Hidasuki (緋襷).

During the firing process, straw is placed around the pottery. Components naturally found in the straw react with the iron-rich clay, creating distinctive red or scarlet markings where the straw touches the surface.

The resulting lines are not painted on. They are created naturally through the interaction of clay, straw, oxygen, and fire.

Each Hidasuki pattern is therefore unique, making every piece a one-of-a-kind expression of the kiln.

Small Details Designed for Everyday Comfort

Three small raised clay dots are incorporated into the bottom of the cup.

These subtle details serve a practical purpose: they provide excellent stability when the cup is placed on the saucer.

The triangular saucer also adds a distinctive modern touch to the traditional Bizen Ware aesthetic. It can be used not only as a saucer but also as a small serving plate for cookies, chocolates, Japanese sweets, or other snacks.

Why Bizen Ware Is Special

Bizen Ware (Bizen-yaki) is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, representing one of the country's oldest and most respected ceramic traditions.

Traditional Bizen Ware is fired without applying a conventional glaze. Instead, the natural clay is high-fired and transformed by the flames, ash, and atmosphere inside the kiln.

This process creates natural firing effects such as Hidasuki (scarlet markings), Goma (natural ash markings), and Botamochi, each forming a unique pattern on the surface.

Because the results depend on the exact position of each piece inside the kiln and the movement of the flames, no two pieces are ever exactly alike.

A Coffee Cup Made for Slow, Everyday Moments

Bizen pottery is particularly appreciated for its tactile quality and ability to retain warmth.

The natural surface of the clay and its fine pores can create a softer drinking experience, making this cup especially enjoyable for coffee, tea, and roasted Japanese teas such as hojicha.

Its approximately 150 ml capacity is ideal for a small, carefully prepared cup of coffee—perfect for taking a quiet moment during a busy day.

The saucer can also be used separately as a small plate for accompanying sweets or snacks.

Recommended Uses

☕ Coffee
Enjoy a warm, mellow cup of coffee in a naturally textured handmade vessel.

🍵 Tea & Hojicha
The cup is also well suited to tea and Japanese roasted green tea.

🍪 With Sweets
Use the saucer to serve cookies, chocolates, Japanese sweets, or small pastries.

Product Details

• Name: Bizen Ware Coffee Cup & Saucer

• Artist: Yayoi Shimizu

• Origin: Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan

• Ceramic: Bizen Ware / Stoneware

• Finish: Unglazed, naturally fired surface

• Firing: Anagama (wood-fired kiln)

• Cup Diameter: Approx. 7.7 cm (3.0 in)

• Cup Width including Handle: Approx. 10.3 cm (4.1 in)

• Cup Height: Approx. 8.2 cm (3.2 in)

• Saucer: Approx. 17 cm (6.7 in) at its widest point × 14.7 cm (5.8 in) at its shortest point

• Saucer Thickness: Approx. 1.5 cm (0.6 in)

• Capacity: Approx. 150 ml (5.1 fl oz) when filled to about 80%

• Weight: Approx. 185 g (6.5 oz) cup / 254 g (9.0 oz) saucer / 439 g (15.5 oz) total

• Microwave: Suitable for gentle reheating

• Dishwasher: Not recommended; hand washing is recommended

• Potter's Mark: A square maker's mark featuring the Japanese character “生” is stamped on the base

About the Artist – Yayoi Shimizu

Ceramic artist Yayoi Shimizu creates Bizen Ware in Okayama Prefecture, the birthplace of Bizen pottery.

She fires her work in a large 13-meter semi-underground anagama kiln, where flames slowly circulate through the kiln and create subtle variations in color, texture, and natural firing patterns.

The large kiln allows each piece to develop a warm and gentle clay surface while maintaining the distinctive character of traditional Bizen firing.

Yayoi Shimizu places particular importance on creating Bizen Ware that can be used every day.

Her work combines the timeless beauty of traditional Japanese pottery with a lightness and practicality that make it comfortable to incorporate into modern everyday life.

Please Note: Every Piece Is Unique

This coffee cup and saucer are handmade from forming through firing.

Because Bizen Ware is fired without a conventional glaze and relies on the natural effects of the kiln, variations in color, texture, Hidasuki markings, firing effects, and shape are to be expected.

The appearance of the piece you receive may differ slightly from the photographs.

These variations are not imperfections. They are an important part of authentic Bizen Ware and are what make each handmade piece unique.

About Craft Ogawa

Craft Ogawa carefully selects authentic Japanese ceramics and traditional crafts, with particular attention to the craftsmanship, cultural background, and stories behind each artisan's work.

Based in Tokyo's historic Akasaka district, Craft Ogawa introduces distinctive works by Japanese artisans to craft lovers in Japan and around the world.

We believe that the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship becomes even more meaningful when you understand the story and tradition behind each piece.

Bring the warmth of Bizen Ware to your everyday coffee ritual and enjoy a piece of Japanese ceramic tradition shaped by earth and fire.

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