Taisho Roman Japanese Teacup Set

This is a set of five teacups for iced tea from the Taisho Roman glass series by Hirota Glass, a long-established glass manufacturer in Tokyo.

This pattern is created not by painting or pigments, but by the aburidashi (invisible ink) technique, which uses specially blended glass materials to create an opalescent, milky-white pattern by the sudden temperature difference when molten glass comes into contact with a mold with a precisely engraved pattern.

The set includes five traditional patterns: ichimatsu (checkerboard), tokusa (horsetail) stripe, seigaiha (waves), tsunagi-koushi (lattice) and polka-dot.

All five types of teacups are packaged in a single decorative box, making this an ideal gift. It is also recommended for those who want to put them away for the season, as they can be stored neatly together.

For guests, use coasters and saucers together to create a more sophisticated atmosphere.

In addition to cold tea, it can also be used to serve water, cold sake, umeshu (plum wine), and other drinks and alcoholic beverages, or as a small bowl to hold side dishes and other items.

Hirota Glass

Founded in 1899 during Japan’s transformative Meiji era (1868–1912 CE), Hirota Glass stands as one of Tokyo’s oldest glassmakers. With over a century of expertise, the company preserves the delicate techniques of Edo glass and Edo Kiriko while reimagining classic styles. From soft Taisho-era (1912–1926 CE) curves to modern reinterpretations, each piece embodies a dedication to beauty, function, and traditional Japanese charm.

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is also a hub of craftsmanship. Among its many traditions, Edo Glass and Edo Kiriko are types of glassware that have been passed down for around 200 years in Edo—the former name for central Tokyo.

Their luminous surfaces echo centuries of craftsmanship, born in what was once Edo and still thriving in modern Tokyo.