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Agano Mamoru Kiln

Agano Ware Café au Lait Mug Cobalt Blue

Agano Ware Café au Lait Mug Cobalt Blue

$49.00 USD
$49.00 USD
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Bathed in a deep, lustrous cobalt glaze, the Agano Ware Café au Lait Mug offers a bold yet refined presence on any table. Handcrafted by Agano Mamoru Kiln, this wide, gently rounded vessel is ideal for sipping café au lait, soups, or tea, bringing warmth and serenity to quiet moments.

The high-fired glaze captures subtle shifts in tone, creating a surface that feels both rich and fluid—like a night sky just before dawn. Its smooth handle and softly contoured body are designed for comfort, while the balance of shape and color reflects the enduring artistry of Agano ware. A modern heirloom for everyday use.

Detail

Size: W 4.2in x L 4.2in x H 2.6in / W 10.7cm x L 10.7cm x H 6.5cm
Material: Ceramic

As each piece is handcrafted, slight variations in size may occur.

Care ＆ Use

  • Handwash only
  • Keep it dry
  • Avoid sudden temperature changes
  • Avoid metal scrubs or abrasive detergents
  • Store safely
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Agano Ware: Subtle Elegance Shaped by Centuries of Tea Culture

Agano ware is a traditional Japanese pottery style that began in the early 17th century in what is now Fukuchi, Fukuoka Prefecture. Its origins trace to 1602 when the ruling lord of the Kokura domain invited Korean potter Sonkai to establish a kiln in the Agano region. Originally crafted for tea ceremonies, Agano ware gained prestige as one of Enshū's Seven Kilns—an honor bestowed by famed tea master Kobori Enshū during the Edo period.

Known for its thin, lightweight form, Agano ware typically features soft, organic profiles and a variety of glazes—from celadon green to milky white, rust, and cobalt blue. A hallmark of the style is the use of copper-rich glazes that produce serene, almost translucent blue tones. Subtle, nature-inspired variations in color and texture emerge during firing, making each vessel uniquely expressive. Agano ware’s understated charm continues to appeal to modern users who value craftsmanship and quiet beauty.

Brand History

Agano Mamoru Kiln is a family-run pottery studio located in Fukuchi, the historic heartland of Agano ware. Known for its refined balance of tradition and creativity, the kiln produces tableware that blends time-honored techniques with a modern touch—offering pieces that are both aesthetically compelling and easy to use.

The kiln’s work is defined by clean silhouettes, rich textures, and atmospheric glazes. One of its signature techniques involves lightly scraping the surface of the clay to form delicate, tactile patterns, often echoing seasonal elements like wind or foliage. The result is a surface that invites both the eye and the hand.

Each piece is fired with glazes that shift subtly in color depending on the kiln atmosphere, yielding soft blacks, dawn-like pinks, deep sea blues, or earthy neutrals. This painterly approach reflects the studio’s philosophy: pottery should reflect nature’s quiet transitions and accompany daily life without pretense.

Agano Mamoru Kiln continues to represent the enduring sensibility of Agano ware—elegant, light in the hand, and deeply rooted in the culture of use.