Staff Picks: Enjoying Japanese Artistry in Your Everyday Mug

Some mugs simply feel right in your hands, the weight, the curve, the way the rim meets your lips. You reach for it without thinking, yet it holds the rhythm of your days, the first sip that wakes you, the warmth that lingers as you pause.

At MUSUBI KILN, we find joy in the elegance of Japanese craftsmanship, where design and intention meet in the everyday. Each of our staff’s chosen mugs reflects not only beauty in form, but also the comfort that comes from something made with care. These are the pieces that remind us how art can slip effortlessly into life, one cup at a time.

As Miho set down her recommended mug, its delicate motif and graceful color immediately drew my gaze. The pale blue of her kimono mirrored the mug’s gentle hue, creating a harmony.

“The very first time I saw it,” she began with a smile, “what captured my heart was the shape and color of the handle. It’s softly curved, so cute, and the blue is incredibly pure and sophisticated. I thought, ‘This would be perfect for my morning coffee,’ and I immediately poured a cup.”

As she spoke, she ran her hand lightly along the mug’s surface. “Once I started using it, I realized it wasn’t just beautiful to look at. It’s wonderful to hold, neither too light nor too heavy. And the more I use it, the more I fall in love with the painted design. The little bird perched on a branch, the delicate petals, and the slightly uneven background all have that gentle ease only a handcrafted piece can give. That’s what I find most charming about this mug.”

Miho told us she often uses it at the office. “I drink coffee and iced tea from it,” she said. “Even on busy days, choosing to use something I truly love feels like a small luxury.”

She then picked up a coaster made of igusa (Japanese rush). “This is the Matsuba Tatami Coaster,” she explained. “When I use it, the natural scent of the rush spreads, slowly and it instantly relaxes me. The smooth texture is lovely.”

She smiled again, as if savoring a quiet morning moment. “The type of tatami ribbon I chose is called rouran. The diamond-shaped pattern is often seen in real tatami, so it’s a familiar design to me. It goes perfectly not only with mugs but also with yunomi teacups or small tea bowls, adding a touch of refined simplicity.”

The mug is crafted from Mikawachi ware, a porcelain renowned for its translucent whiteness. Adorned with sometsuke blue-and-white painting, it embodies a serene charm of Japan’s artistry, one you can hold.

Fumika stepped into the meeting room with her favorite mug and coaster. “The shape is what I love most about this mug,” she began. “It has this charming, rounded form that fits perfectly. When I pour in something heated and wrap both hands around it, the heat seeps through just enough to make even a cold winter morning seem cozy.”

Though the mug looks sturdy, she told me it’s surprisingly lightweight. “It holds quite a lot, but it’s never heavy. The handle is easy to grip, so I often fill it with tea and plenty of milk; it’s my little ritual for relaxing at the end of the day.”

Among the four available designs, Fumika chose the one featuring the Shiba Inu. “I used to have a Shiba Inu when I was younger,” she said with a fond smile. “So this one felt like a natural choice.”

She then reached for a deep red coaster, its subtle shine reflecting the light. “I’ve always loved red,” she said. “That’s why I picked this Aquatic Plants Braid Coaster. I’m drawn to its glossy finish and the red tone. It complements the mug beautifully without overpowering it. I can use it throughout the year.”

Using the red coaster, she added, has become part of her daily routine. “It’s light and durable, so I keep it on my desk as my little companion. I even bring it along to meetings. It’s small, but it makes my workday a bit more pleasant.”

The mug’s charming design, paired with the vibrant character of traditional Kutani ware, makes it simply irresistible to hold.

When Toshiaki arrived for our chat, he carried a sleek black mug and a striped coaster in his hands. This combination was simple yet striking, much like his own style. Dressed, as always, in his signature palette of black and white, he smiled and set them on the table.

“My favorite pairing is this mug with the striped Kutani Colors Coaster. I love how the matte black surface contrasts with the light, playful pattern. It’s the perfect balance for me, low-key but never dull.”

Toshiaki explained that he often reaches for this set when he needs a reset. “Whenever I want to clear my mind, I make myself a cup of coffee in this mug. Somehow, the clean design and the delicate black tone help me breathe a little deeper. It’s like a small pause in the middle of a busy day.”

He laughed softly, glancing at the mug on the table. “It even makes my desk look tidier, just by being there. Maybe that’s why coffee time is a bit more special.”

With its velvety matte surface, this Usuki ware mug fuses the spirit of past work with a contemporary eye, an understated epitome of minimalist elegance.

As Miwako set her mug and coaster on the table, a calm settled over the room. She smiled as she introduced her pieces, starting with the mug she often reaches for during her afternoon breaks.

“I tend to choose mugs with gentle colors,” she explained. “I usually pick them for moments when I want to slow down a bit. The quiet tones make it easy to relax.” The mug she showed me had a rounded shape with a stylized camellia motif. “I’ve always liked round forms,” she said, tracing the curve of the cup with her fingertip. “And camellias, especially when they’re drawn in a simple, abstract way, are one of my favorite motifs.”

When I asked how it felt to use, she thought for a moment before answering. “When you pour in something hot, the cup itself warms up too. It’s comforting, especially in winter. And it holds just the right amount, so I can sit back and take my time with my tea.”

She then presented a wooden coaster, meticulously crafted using the kumiko woodworking method. “I chose this one because I wanted something that would match my favorite mug,” she said. “You can use it in two ways, either with the small plate on top or without it. It’s not exactly the intended use, I suppose,” she added with a small laugh, “but I like having that flexibility.”

She placed her mug on it to show me. “Even larger mugs sit on it steadily, which makes it easy to use,” she continued. “I’ve always liked wooden coasters and use them at home too, but I used to worry about water rings forming when I placed cold drinks on them. This one solves that. The wood has that lovely natural feel, and with the plate on top, it stays clean and dry.”

This mug is made of Mino ware, one of Japan’s most celebrated ceramic traditions, renowned for its rich heritage and remarkable versatility. With more than fifteen distinct styles, Mino ware has long held a special place in everyday life and remains deeply loved today.

Yasuko turned her mug slowly in the sunlight as she spoke. “When I first picked up this blue hanazume mug, what caught my attention wasn’t just the colors, but the way the entire surface was like a small garden suspended in time. Each flower, outlined in a fine trace of gold. Depending on the angle, the golden lines catch the light and shift from a glimmer to a radiant glow, giving the mug different moods throughout the day.”

“In use, the mug is surprisingly comforting. The smoothly contoured form sits naturally in the hand, and the gold on the handle adds a tactile warmth without being decorative for its own sake.”

Then she showed me a coaster from the Daruma Shaped Coaster Set. “Since the mug itself is so striking, I wanted something that would complement it,” she explained. “The wood grain gives a contrast to the modern design of the mug.”

She picked up the coaster and placed the mug gently on top. “The fit isn’t completely perfect,” she admitted with a small laugh, “but it doesn’t slip at all, so I can use it comfortably. It’s simple, so I think it would go well with any cup.”

Kutani ware’s iridescent palette lends the mug a romantic air, while the gold accents give that romance a refined note of opulence.