{"title":"Showa Pre-war Antiques (1926–1945)","description":"\u003cp\u003ePre-war Showa (1926–1945) Japanese ceramics — a period that saw the maturation of the Mingei movement, Hamada Shōji and Kawai Kanjirō's studio works, and the continuation of major regional kilns through challenging years. Pieces from this era are now classified as antiques (≥80 years) and many show the rustic, hand-built aesthetic championed by the folk-craft revival.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"fukagawa-seiji-1937-sometsuke-tea-set","title":"Fukagawa Seiji Pre-War Arita Sometsuke Tea Set — Kyusu + 5 Yunomi with Signed Tomobako, 1937 Showa","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA 1937 Pre-War Fukagawa Seiji Tea Set — Imperial Household Purveyor, Signed Paulownia Box, Almost Unused.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a rare opportunity to acquire a complete six-piece tea service from Fukagawa Seiji 深川製磁 — founded in 1894 in Arita, Saga Prefecture, and granted the title of \u003cem\u003eKunaisho Goyo-tashi\u003c\/em\u003e (宮内省御用達, “Purveyor to the Imperial Household”) in 1910. The set comprises one side-handle kyusu teapot and five matching yunomi cups, decorated in cobalt underglaze (sometsuke 染付) with stylized blue florals against a luminous white porcelain body, finished with hand-applied gilt rims and a gilt finial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe set has rested in its original signed paulownia tomobako (共桐木箱) for nearly nine decades. Remarkably, the factory-original transparent protective sleeve on the teapot spout is still present — strong evidence the set was never put into daily use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSet composition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 × Kyusu (横手急須, side-handle teapot) — H9.5 × ⌀10 cm body (3.7″ × 3.9″), 273 g (9.6 oz), with internal honeycomb ceramic strainer\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e5 × Yunomi (湯呑, tea cups) — rim ⌀9 × foot ⌀4 × H5.7 cm (3.5″ × 1.6″ × 2.2″), 78 g (2.75 oz) each\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 × Original signed paulownia wood box (kiribako 桐木箱)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2 × Enclosed paper cards — one vintage company-history insert, one modern care insert (the modern insert was added in later years by a previous keeper; the vintage card is original to the set)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 × Original factory spout protector (transparent silicone sleeve with hanging cord)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarks \u0026amp; seals (provenance evidence)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCup foot: Mt. Fuji + 「深川製」 hand-brushed cobalt underglaze (standard Fukagawa Seiji mark)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKyusu lid interior: identical Mt. Fuji + 「深川製」 mark (premium pre-war single-marking standard)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTomobako: brush-written 「茶器揃 宮内省御用達 深川製磁」 in sumi ink\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTomobako red seals: 「美術有田燒」 (Art Arita Ware grade), Mt. Fuji + 深川 square seal, and a quality-inspection edge stamp\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDating evidence: the box vocabulary 「宮内省」 was retired in 1947 when the ministry was reorganized — placing this set definitively before 1947. The original owner identified the production year as Showa 12 (1937).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e — Almost unused (未使用に近い)\u003cbr\u003e\nAll six ceramic pieces are intact and free of chips, cracks, kiln scars, and gilt wear. The interior honeycomb strainer shows no tea residue. The original spout protector — which would normally be removed and discarded on first use — is still in place, supporting the “almost unused” classification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural context\u003c\/strong\u003e — Fukagawa Seiji rose to international prominence with its Grand Prize at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle and remains one of the foundational houses of modern Arita ware. The high-temperature 1350°C white porcelain body and the signature “Fukagawa Blue” tonal-gradient underglaze are unmistakable hallmarks of the studio. Pre-war Fukagawa with original tomobako is uncommon on the secondary market; complete six-piece sets in this condition are rarer still.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse\u003c\/strong\u003e — Suited to sencha green tea or gyokuro service for a small gathering, displayed as a collectible heirloom, or as a museum-quality gift for a serious collector of Japanese ceramics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare\u003c\/strong\u003e — Hand-wash only with mild, neutral detergent and a soft cloth. Do not microwave (gilt rim and gilt finial contain metal). Do not dishwash. Avoid sudden temperature changes. Store the box in a low-humidity environment away from direct sunlight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference Conversions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nKyusu: 9.5 × 10 cm = 3.7″ × 3.9″; 273 g = 9.6 oz\u003cbr\u003e\nYunomi: 9 × 4 × 5.7 cm = 3.5″ × 1.6″ × 2.2″; 78 g = 2.75 oz\u003cbr\u003e\nTotal ceramic weight: 663 g = 1.46 lb\u003cbr\u003e\nCapacity estimates (not supplier-published): kyusu ~250 mL (8.5 fl oz), yunomi ~80 mL (2.7 fl oz) each\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e• Originally made by \u003cstrong\u003eFukagawa Seiji 深川製磁\u003c\/strong\u003e (Imperial Household Purveyor, est. 1894) in Arita, Saga Prefecture, Japan in 1937 (Showa 12), curated by ZenKiln\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAbout ZenKiln — A Japan-based curator connecting international collectors with Japan’s artisan ceramic tradition. We work closely with the kilns, workshops, and makers featured in our shop — each one disclosed in our About section — and hand-pack every piece in Japan for safe delivery worldwide.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping\u003c\/strong\u003e — Hand-packed in the original paulownia box, wrapped with archival tissue and a custom double-walled outer carton. Insured international tracked shipping from Japan, typically 7–14 business days. Duties \u0026amp; customs are the buyer’s responsibility.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZenKiln","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47692572786918,"sku":"TEA-ARI-SHW-00001","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/5392\/5350\/files\/DSC09139.webp?v=1779151449"},{"product_id":"vintage-koransha-yunomi-set-5-orchid-gilt-showa-1927","title":"Vintage Japanese Yunomi Set of 5 — Kōransha \"Orchid in Gold and Red\" (Showa 2 \/ 1927)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA set of 5 fine-porcelain yunomi (Japanese tea cups) by Kōransha (香蘭社)\u003c\/strong\u003e — Japan's first joint-stock porcelain company, founded 1875 in Arita, Saga Prefecture. Made in 昭和2年 \/ Showa 2 \/ 1927 (user-confirmed). Each cup carries a hand-painted overglaze decoration of an orchid (the brand's own emblem) in red-orange iron-oxide enamel and gold leaf, set against fine white porcelain ground with gilt rim and twin coral-red banding. The set survives in mint, untouched condition — five cups arranged in the original Kōransha vertical-stacking tomobako, with the maker's sumi-ink calligraphy and official red seal on the outer face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt 99 years old, this set sits at the threshold of \"Antique\" status (Etsy's 100-year cutoff), produced at the very start of the Showa era by a porcelain house founded in 1875.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet composition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 yunomi + original Kōransha wooden tomobako (vertical stacking format)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCup dimensions (each):\u003c\/strong\u003e ∼Ø9.0 × 5.5 cm H (≈3.5″ × 2.2″), foot ∼Ø4.0 cm (≈1.6″), ∼71 g (≈2.5 oz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet weight (5 cups, sans box):\u003c\/strong\u003e ∼355 g (≈12.5 oz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTomobako:\u003c\/strong\u003e ∼10.5 × 10 × 34 cm (≈4.1″ × 3.9″ × 13.4″) — tall vertical box, kiri-style soft wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine white porcelain (磁器 \/ Jiki) — Arita body\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Overglaze red enamel (赤絵 \/ Aka-e), gilding (金彩 \/ Kinsai), coral-red banding, gold rim and foot ring\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduction year:\u003c\/strong\u003e 昭和2年 \/ Showa 2 \/ 1927 (user-confirmed)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker founded:\u003c\/strong\u003e 明治8年 \/ Meiji 8 \/ 1875 (Kōransha brand history — context only, not this piece's production year)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade by\u003c\/strong\u003e Kōransha \/ Arita Ware in Saga Prefecture, Japan, curated by ZenKiln\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance \u0026amp; Attribution (Tier B)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set carries strong primary evidence of Kōransha production:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOriginal Kōransha wooden tomobako with sumi-ink calligraphy reading 「御湯呑 五客」 (Goyunomi Gokyaku — \"Honorable Tea Cups, Set of Five\") on the right column and 「香蘭社」 (Kōransha) on the left column\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRed square official Kōransha maker's seal stamped on the tomobako next to the brand calligraphy\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eGold-painted Kōransha foot mark on each cup — stylized orchid sprig emblem above the kanji wordmark 「香蘭社」\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIconographic self-reference: the orchid (蘭 \/ Ran) on the decoration is the maker's own emblem; the brand-name kanji 香蘭 literally means \"Fragrant Orchid\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurator's note on attribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e ZenKiln assigns this set \u003cstrong\u003eTier B attribution\u003c\/strong\u003e per our antique-line claim-safety system. We can confirm with high confidence that this IS a Kōransha-produced yunomi set as marked. The production year \u003cstrong\u003e昭和2年 (Showa 2 \/ 1927)\u003c\/strong\u003e is the seller's attribution; independent dating-to-year would require expert reference against Kōransha's published mark-style catalog. We hold to Tier B until that cross-reference is in place. This piece was acquired by ZenKiln through the Japanese antique market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKōransha: A Short Historical Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKōransha (香蘭社) was founded in 1875 (Meiji 8) in Arita, Saga Prefecture, by Fukagawa Eizaemon VIII (深川栄左衛門八代) as Japan's first joint-stock porcelain company. It was created as a deliberate modernization of the centuries-old Hizen Arita porcelain industry to bring Arita work onto the international stage of the Meiji era. Kōransha exhibited at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and the 1878 Paris Universal Exposition and is historically associated with Imperial Household Agency procurement. The brand is still active today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brand-name kanji 香蘭 means \"Fragrant Orchid\"; orchid is the company's emblem, and you see it here on both the cup decoration AND the foot mark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMotif: Orchid (蘭 \/ Ran)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decorative flower on these cups is \u003cstrong\u003eorchid (蘭 \/ Ran)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Kōransha company emblem — not sazanka, plum, or cherry. The radiating four-petal bloom with arching gilt leaf-blade strokes is Kōransha's standard interpretation of the orchid form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition Disclosure (Full)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition grade: Mint\u003c\/strong\u003e — presented as-new in original packaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAll 5 cups: no chips, no cracks, no crazing visible, no rim flea-bites; gold rim trim intact and unworn; foot mark gold crisp\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTomobako: outer kiri-style wood shows age-consistent surface mellowing typical of pre-war \/ early-Showa Japanese soft wood; no warping, no separation of dividers; sumi-ink calligraphy crisp; red Kōransha seal unfaded\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNo paper hakogaki, no brand pamphlet, no silk wrap — the tomobako is the complete original packaging for this set\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eUses \u0026amp; Display\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraditional:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eYunomi for everyday green tea (sencha, hojicha, genmaicha)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eA coordinated 5-piece guest-tea setting (a traditional Japanese household keeps a 5-cup set for tea-service for guests)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModern crossover:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEspresso \/ cortado cups (gold rim + porcelain = excellent for high-contrast small-format drinks)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSake o-choko style serving for chilled sake (single-portion)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSmall dessert cups for chawanmushi-style steamed savories or matcha-paired wagashi\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDisplay: an unusual vertical-stacking tomobako makes this set display-attractive even when stored\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare for Vintage Gold-Rim Porcelain\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is 99-year-old gold-rim Japanese porcelain. Treat accordingly:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHand-wash only with lukewarm water and mild neutral soap; dry with a soft cloth\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDo NOT use a dishwasher — high heat and detergent will damage the gold rim and gilt decoration\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDo NOT use a microwave — gold and metal-pigment decoration is not microwave-safe at any era\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDo NOT subject to thermal shock (no boiling water directly into a cold cup; warm the cup first with a tepid rinse)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eStore the cups inside the original tomobako between uses to preserve the box's significance and protect the cups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eReference Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e明治8年 (Meiji 8) = 1875; 昭和2年 (Shōwa 2) = 1927\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e御湯呑 五客 (Goyunomi Gokyaku) = \"Honorable Tea Cups, Set of 5\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e香蘭社 (Kōransha) = \"Fragrant Orchid Company\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e蘭 (Ran) = orchid (the Kōransha emblem)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e赤絵 (Aka-e) = overglaze red enamel (iron oxide)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e金彩 (Kinsai) = gilding \/ gold-leaf decoration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout ZenKiln\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Japan-based curator connecting international collectors with Japan's artisan ceramic tradition. We work closely with the kilns, workshops, and makers featured in our shop — each one disclosed in our About section — and hand-pack every piece in Japan for safe delivery worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e📦 Ships from Japan, hand-packed for safe delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Returns Note (Vintage \/ Antique-Line)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a one-of-one vintage set; we keep only this single set in inventory and cannot reorder. As a disclosed-condition vintage piece, returns are not offered except in the case of transit damage (please send photos within 7 days of delivery). For international orders we recommend adding insured shipping (the gold-rim porcelain is fragile in transit).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZenKiln","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47699175473382,"sku":"ZK-YUNOMI-KORANSHA-ORCHID-1927-SET5","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/5392\/5350\/files\/DSC09248.webp?v=1779320893"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/5392\/5350\/collections\/antique-showa-prewar-1920x600.png?v=1778540312","url":"https:\/\/zen-kiln.com\/en-ca\/collections\/showa-prewar-antiques.oembed","provider":"ZenKiln","version":"1.0","type":"link"}