Kozan-ji Temple Choju Giga Designed Mug

Featuring the distinctive nami-yu glaze, which is made from the ashes of the Kyoto forest, this mug has a natural base color of yellowish cream-white. 

It depicts the famous illustrated scroll named "Choju Giga," which is a caricature picture scroll depicting anthropomorphic animals and their playfulness, dating from the 12th to 13th centuries. These designs from the picture scrolls are designated as a Japanese national treasure in Kozan-ji Temple in Kyoto. Please enjoy these humorous and playful works intricately depicted through Tousen Kiln’s painting techniques.

The paintwork is done by individual Japanese-style painters, pursuing their own originality and depth beyond the expectations for a mere decoration. 

A lightweight mug with a warm, cream white color with a hand-painted design. You can enjoy the company of playful rabbits, frogs, and a fox entertaining your everyday tea or coffee.

Tosen Kiln

Tosen Kiln was founded in 1868 as a Kiyomizu ware wholesaler. In 1944, it established a production studio in Mukomachi, a suburb of Kyoto, marking the beginning of full-scale Kiyomizu ware production. Today, the kiln operates in Gojo, Kyoto, continuing its legacy of craftsmanship.

Dedicated to refining its techniques and artistic sensibilities, Tosen Kiln embraces Kyoto’s traditional craftsmanship while adapting it for the modern era. Drawing inspiration from Edo-period master potter Nonomura Ninsei, it preserves his precise lathing techniques and luminous painting styles, blending them with clean lines and warm tones to create pieces that resonate with contemporary aesthetics.

Kyo Ware & Kiyomizu Ware

Kyo ware and Kiyomizu ware, collectively known as Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki, are celebrated pottery styles from Kyoto. Known for their vibrant designs, finely sculpted forms, and dedication to handcrafted detail, these wares reflect Kyoto’s distinctive sense of beauty and artistic refinement.

Defined by a long-cultivated diversity, Kyo ware and Kiyomizu ware have drawn on techniques and styles from pottery traditions across Japan, evolving into a richly expressive and distinctly Kyoto art form. Recognized as a Traditional Craft of Japan in 1977, they continue to be cherished for their cultural depth and everyday appeal.