A Tea Table in Bloom: Arita Ware and Seasonal Sweets
Written by Team MUSUBI
The table is set, the scent of green tea and a faint sweetness stir the senses—a subtle signal that the first sip is near. But tea time is never just about what’s in the cup—it’s the joy, the warmth in your hands, the way flavors unfold, and how the table itself becomes part of the experience.
Here, carefully chosen pieces from different traditions come together—the flowing curves of Arita ware from the Le Sanpei Kiln, the deep luster of kabazaiku cherry bark, and the gentle hues of Kyo ware.
As everything falls into place, the tablescape invites you to slow down, pour the tea, and savor the fleeting beauty of spring.
Table of contents
Framing the Moment: Japanese Tea with Timeless Favorites
Drinking Japanese tea is a quiet ritual, where hands move thoughtfully—pouring, serving, offering. The kumiko tray, with its delicate latticework, sets the stage for your teaware. A Kyo ware teapot, striped in soft lines of blue and red, sits beside two Arita ware teacups, each marked with a distinct form and hand-painted color. A cherry bark tea canister, smooth to the touch, cradles the fresh scent of tea leaves, as if waiting for the next brew.
Beyond the tray, the table opens up like a conversation, each piece presenting delicate wagashi sweets that pair perfectly with your tea.
Matching the tea canister, kabazaiku side plates carry sakura mochi, wrapped in the gentle fragrance of a cherry blossom leaf.
One can never have enough of spring’s fleeting beauty. A gently rounded bowl from Kyoto’s Tosen Kiln, generous in size, sits at the center of the table, filled with seasonal sweets.
And then, something playful—a trio of strawberries, their centers filled with cream, resting on cherry bark work spoons. They sit on a weathered metal stand, their vibrant red standing out against the muted green tone of the tablecloth—a gentle reminder that even in a composed moment, there is room for small surprises.
The Enduring Beauty of Le Sanpei Kiln
With a presence neither too bold nor too delicate, tableware from Le Sanpei Kiln brings you back to the humble beginnings of Japanese porcelain.
Kuromitsu syrup slowly drips over refreshing anmitsu. The footed bowl handmade by Le Sanpei has a satisfying weight to it—a grounded heaviness that makes scooping effortless. Even a handful of strawberries or grapes can be a special treat served in this bowl.
Le Sanpei teacups have just the right depth—deep enough to invite a curious glance inside. With gentle ridges along the surface, they feel reassuringly solid in the hand, a perfect match for slow and thoughtful sips.
Just one more pour, a quiet nod, a shared glance over the rim of a cup—sometimes, that’s all it takes to feel at ease.
Who would you invite to share this moment of spring?
Featured Collection
Le Sanpei Kiln
In the early 17th century, Korean craftsman Yi Sam-pyeong—known in Japan as Le Sanpei—discovered pottery stone in Izumiyama, Arita. This discovery marked the beginning of Japan’s oldest porcelain tradition, now known as Arita ware. Early designs were influenced by Chinese ceramics, with sometsuke underglaze painting defining its signature rustic simplicity. Though the original Le Sanpei Kiln eventually closed, his 13th-generation descendant revived it, ensuring that this centuries-old craft continues to be passed down.
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