White Marbled Nerikomi Tokoname Tea Set

Name: White Marbled Nerikomi Tokoname Tea Set
Brand: Hotta Takumi (Kenji Kiln)
SKU: US-X42
Price: 248.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Hotta Takumi (Kenji Kiln)

$248.00

This stunning marbled Tokoname-yaki tea set consists of a kyusu (teapot) and a pair of teacups, each made from multiple colours of clay kneaded into a white clay base in the nerikomi (練り込み) technique.

The teapot's built-in ceramic sasame filter is perfect for naturally straining tea, with a wide shape for faster pouring and less clogging.

The set comes in a kirbako (桐箱 - paulownia wood box) signed by the artist, Takumi Hotta (堀田拓見), the second generation potter of Kenji Kiln (憲児陶苑). Born in 1985, Hotta-san continues his father's practice of specialising in nerikomi wares.

Tokoname-yaki (常滑焼) is a type of Japanese pottery that traditionally comes from Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The site of one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, pottery has been made in Tokoname since the 12th century.

Today, Tokoname ware is known for its iconic brick-red clay called shudei. Famously used in teaware and bonsai pots, this clay’s vibrant colour comes from its rich iron content. Tea steeped in unglazed Tokoname teapots is said to have a mellower taste.

Nerikomi (練り込み) is a pottery technique in which multiple coloured clays are kneaded together to produce a stunning marbled effect. This technique is almost exclusively used on unglazed wares, allowing the full effect to be shown in the bare clay. Often, slices or cuts are made into the surface of the pot to reveal even more layering and marbling.

Similar techniques are sometimes called agateware for the resemblance to the layers in agate.