• A hand-glazed ceramic espresso cup and saucer with layered blue and white tones, set on a white background.
  • Close-up of the ceramic cup's handle and glaze texture, highlighting the rich blue gradient and artisan craftsmanship.
  • Side view of a blue and white glazed ceramic espresso cup with matching saucer, showcasing the rounded form and earthy base.
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Shodai Ware Nakadera Kiln

Blue Shodai Espresso Cup and Saucer Set

Blue Shodai Espresso Cup and Saucer Set

$99.00 USD
$99.00 USD
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Crafted in the tranquil hills of Kumamoto, the Blue Shodai Espresso Cup and Saucer Set by Nakadera Kiln distills centuries of ceramic tradition into a modern form. The soft cascade of blue and ivory glaze, characteristic of Shodai ware, lends a painterly depth that shifts with every glance—cool and airy one moment, rich and earthen the next.

The iron-rich clay base provides a grounded counterpoint to the smooth glaze, while the petite cup rests elegantly on its matching saucer, echoing the harmony between form and function. Ideal for slow mornings or contemplative breaks, this set invites you to savor your espresso as an intentional ritual.

No two sets are identical, as each bears the hand of the artisan—subtle variations in tone and shape speaking to its one-of-a-kind nature.

Detail

Size: W 2.6in x L 2.6in x H 2.2in / W 6.5cm x L 6.5cm x H 5.5cm
Material: Ceramic

Care ＆ Use

  • Handwash only
  • Keep it dry
  • Avoid sudden temperature changes
  • Avoid metal scrubs or abrasive detergents
  • Store safely
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Shodaiyaki Pottery: Everyday Beauty Shaped by Centuries of Craft

Shodaiyaki is a traditional style of Japanese pottery originating in the 17th century, with roots in the mountainous region near Arao in present-day Kumamoto Prefecture. First established under the patronage of the Hosokawa clan in 1632, Shodaiyaki was crafted by potters brought from the Buzen area and quickly became known for its rustic character and durability. Over the centuries, this style evolved into a form of everyday ware—functional, robust, and quietly expressive.

What distinguishes Shodaiyaki is its use of iron-rich clay and natural straw-ash glazes that are often applied using a technique called nagashi-kake—a method of pouring the glaze in sweeping, dynamic motions across the surface. The result is a textured, flowing finish that varies with every firing, producing one-of-a-kind vessels that embrace natural variation. The pottery often features subdued earth tones—whites, yellows, blues, and amber—blended in organic patterns shaped by flame, glaze, and chance. These are vessels meant to be used: warm to the touch, weighty in the hand, and full of quiet depth.

Brand History

Nakaderagama is a family-run Shodaiyaki kiln located in Arao, Kumamoto. Led by father-and-son artisans Kohei and Tomonari Nishikawa, the kiln continues a regional tradition that spans nearly four centuries. Drawing from the old techniques of ko-shodai (early Shodaiyaki), Nakaderagama produces tea bowls, plates, sake cups, and everyday tableware that balance the raw beauty of wood-fired pottery with refined form.

Each piece is fired in a climbing kiln (noborigama) over multiple days, with firewood stoked by hand to create rich, ash-laden textures. No two pieces emerge the same. Through this process, the Nishikawas aim to honor the imperfections that give handmade pottery its life—firing marks, glaze drips, and color shifts that tell the story of flame and earth.

While rooted in heritage, Nakaderagama’s work speaks to modern sensibilities: quietly rustic, humbly elegant, and made for daily use. It is pottery with soul—crafted not to impress, but to belong in your hands, your kitchen, and your life.