A 1980 (昭和55年 / Shōwa 55) Mino-yaki (美濃焼) cup-and-saucer pair set in the 菊紋入り (kikumon-iri / "with chrysanthemum-crest inset") category — two small footed porcelain cups with two matching saucers, each piece carrying a deep cobalt-blue band at the rim, a delicate gold-pierced lace-band beside it, and a centered 16-petal gold kiku (chrysanthemum) crest. Originally retailed at ¥60,000 JPY in 1980 — a substantial outlay aligned with this premium 菊紋入り category, at a time when a graduate's monthly starting salary was around ¥110,000.
Specifications
- Form: 高台形コーヒーカップ・ソーサー二客揃 (pedestal-footed cup with handle + matching saucer; pair set of 2 cups + 2 saucers)
- Material: high-fired white porcelain (磁器) with cobalt-blue underglaze + gold overglaze (金彩 / kinsai) + delicate gold-pierced rim border
- Pattern: kiku-mon (菊紋) 16-petal gold chrysanthemum crest, centered on each cup body + matching crest on each saucer; cobalt-and-gold rim composition
- Production year: 1980 (昭和55年 / Shōwa 55) — 46-year-old vintage
- Original retail (1980 Japan, user-attested): ¥60,000 JPY
- Cup rim diameter: ~8.0 cm (3.1")
- Cup height: ~6.9 cm (2.7")
- Cup foot diameter: ~4.5 cm (1.8")
- Saucer diameter: ~14.5 cm (5.7")
- Saucer height: ~2.0 cm (0.8")
- Per-cup capacity (estimated): ~150–180 mL (5–6 fl oz) — between demitasse and full teacup; useable as small tea, small coffee, or large espresso
- Foot mark: 「光峰」 (Kōhō) gold cursive maker signature on each cup's foot ring — identifies the maker as 光峰窯 / Kōhō Kiln, operated by 水口製陶所 in 多治見 (Tajimi), Gifu Prefecture
- Included paper accessories: (1) green Mino-yaki kiln-shop introduction card "世界を翔る美濃焼" — a generic Mino-yaki kiln-shop info card narrating the 1,300+ year Mino-yaki tradition in Gifu's Tajimi / Toki / Mizunami region (2) green 「ご使用上の注意」 care card
- Made by 光峰窯 (Kōhō Kiln) / 水口製陶所 / Mino-yaki in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, curated by ZenKiln
About Mino-yaki (美濃焼)
Mino-yaki takes its name from Mino Province in what is now Gifu Prefecture, where pottery has been fired for over 1,300 years across the contiguous kilns of Tajimi, Toki, and Mizunami. The enclosed Mino-yaki kiln-shop card describes the lineage of Mino-yaki's signature styles — 志野 (Shino), 織部 (Oribe), 黄瀬戸 (Kiseto), and 瀬戸黒 (Setoguro) — and notes that Mino-yaki accounts for more than half of Japan's domestic ceramic production by volume. This particular cup-and-saucer pair belongs to the cobalt-and-gold export-style tradition that Mino-yaki kilns developed in the Shōwa period, blending European Imperial-china visual vocabulary with Japanese decorative iconography.
About the 叙勲記念 (jokun-kinen / Imperial Decoration Commemorative) tradition
In Japan, when a citizen receives a state honor — an 旭日章 (Order of the Rising Sun), 瑞宝章 (Order of the Sacred Treasure), 文化勲章 (Order of Culture), or other 叙勲 / 褒章 — the recipient traditionally hosts a 祝賀会 (celebration banquet) and exchanges 菊紋入り記念品 (kikumon-engraved commemorative items) with family, colleagues, and well-wishers. This is a recognized product category in Japan, with dedicated specialists carrying ceramics, glass, lacquerware, frames, and confectionery — all bearing the 16-petal 菊紋 (chrysanthemum crest). This category is distinct from 宮内庁御用達（historical record） (historical Imperial Household designation) — a separately and historically awarded supplier status held by a small number of named kilns (Fukagawa Seiji, Koransha, Noritake special line, Ōkura Tōen, Hirado, etc.). A jokun-commemorative piece may be made by any kiln; a historical Imperial Household designation piece must be made by an official 御用達（historical record） firm.
This cup-and-saucer pair matches the jokun-commemorative convention in every physical respect — the 16-petal gold kikumon, the cobalt-blue band, the gold-pierced rim, the pair (二客揃) format, the premium 1980 retail price tier, and the formal coffee/tea-cup form. We surface this as a descriptive style classification — the piece belongs to the 叙勲記念 tradition by its visual and cultural conventions, rather than being a specific provenance claim to one named Imperial Decoration ceremony. The maker, 光峰窯 (Kōhō Kiln), is an industry-documented Mino-yaki tableware producer in Tajimi but is not a verified 宮内庁御用達（historical record） purveyor.
Use & Care (per green care card included)
Porcelain (磁器) wares are firm and not water-absorbent; gold + silver overglaze items (金銀彩) are NOT microwave-safe (電子レンジでのご使用は出来ません); hand-wash gently — metal scouring or abrasive cleansers will damage the gold rim and crest; avoid sudden temperature change; impact and dropping are strictly prohibited (強い衝撃を与える事は厳禁). Suitable for tea, coffee, espresso, or display use.
Gifting & Presentation (pair format)
The 二客揃 (ni-kyaku-zoroe / pair set of two) is the traditional Japanese hospitality and gift unit for couples — wedding, anniversary, retirement (還暦 / 喜寿), or a Father's Day milestone for a tea- or coffee-loving recipient. We hand-pack the full pair inside protective wrap + a secondary outer box for international shipping.
Shipping & Returns (Antique Line)
This is a one-of-one estate pair set. We do not accept returns on antique-line listings; all condition details and the maker's documentation are disclosed above and in the photos. Please ask any questions before purchase — we are happy to send additional close-up photos of any cup, saucer, or paper accessory, including a higher-resolution macro of the foot signature.
About 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.
📦 Ships from Japan, hand-packed for safe delivery.
