Midnight Strata Cup

Soft charcoal-grey tones lend this handmade Tokoname cup an understated character. A dense band of fine horizontal grooves circles the body, with scattered irregular breaks creating a layered, almost mineral texture. The upper rim and foot remain smooth, bringing a measured balance to the tactile surface.

Its gently flared opening and compact raised foot create a graceful silhouette. The unglazed interior is smooth and the underside carries the Gyokko workshop stamp. Holding 60 ml to the brim, with a comfortable serving capacity of 40 ml, the cup is designed for small, attentive servings of Japanese tea.

Explore more pieces in the Midnight collection: Midnight Echo Kyusu, Midnight Ripple Kyusu, Midnight Stillness Shiboridashi.

Written by Sven

About Gyokko

Founded in 1961, Gyokko is a family-run shokunin pottery workshop in Tokoname, one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns. Now in its third generation, the studio produces handmade Japanese teaware, including kyusu teapots, shiboridashi and tea cups, combining traditional craftsmanship with precision, functionality and understated beauty.

The production of a Gyokko teapot involves around 40 steps, shared among experienced craftspeople. The body, lid, spout and handle are individually shaped and carefully assembled. Particular attention is paid to the fit of the lid, the angle of the spout for a clean pour, and the position of the handle for comfortable use. The result is teaware that combines the subtle character of handmade ceramics with the reliability and refinement of skilled craftsmanship.

Below is a video of our visit to the Gyokko workshop in Tokoname, where we commissioned the teaware pieces now available at the Nannuoshan shop.

Japanese teaware categories

Japanese teaware can broadly be distinguished into three categories: kikai, commercially produced teaware; shokunin, handmade pieces made by skilled craftspeople; and sakka, works by individual ceramic artists.

Gyokko belongs to the shokunin tradition, where a master develops original designs that skilled potters reproduce entirely by hand. The emphasis is on technical mastery, functionality, and ergonomics. Rather than creating one-of-a-kind art objects, the workshop produces carefully designed pieces that excel in handling and pouring, combining remarkable consistency with the craftsmanship of handmade teaware at an accessible price.

Learn more about the three levels of Japanese pottery in this video.