I have an odd personal goal where I’m working on building a tea set with different pieces I’ve picked up in traveling (so far I have a creamer from London, one teacup and saucer from Luxembourg, and a teapot I picked up in Kyoto years ago before I thought to do this). Because I intend to go back to Japan, I’d like to pick up at least a teacup and saucer from there. I have some more traditional Japanese teacups for my green tea habit, but I know Japan must produce western style tea china.
Does anyone know of places in Tokyo (maybe antique typed shops) that would be a good spot to hunt down my next tea piece?
16 comments
There are some high end and antique shops among the cheaper bulk stores along Kappabashi (kitchen street) in Tokyo. High end department stores in Ginza will have a nice selection of pricey teacups.
What about department stores that carry Noritake (all of them will), Japan’s most famous china manufacturer?
I’m glad you added that last bit to the title..
“What did China do now.. oh hold on”
I was looking for a teacup myself a lot in Japan, and the biggest amount of shops with fine china in one place I found in Kyoto. There is whole street of them in a pottery district , just off one of the more touristy street – Kiyomizu Zaka street )which also has some).
I recommend to read this: http://www.kyotoursjapan.com/blog/2018/2/21/shopping-for-teacups-with-a-teamaster?format=amp
I love your tea set idea! so creative
There are loads of shops around Kyoto, particularly in the Gojo-zaka area just down the hill from Kiyomizu-dera. If you’re there in early August, they have a big pottery festival too. The regular flea markets (e.g., Kobo-san, Tenjin-san, Chion-ji Craft Market) are also interesting places to look.
Hello. I don’t know about antique shop but I’d like to recommend “THE COVER NIPPON” in Midtown Roppongi. I visit the shop all the time when I go to Tokyo.
They have really fine traditional Japanese crafts from all over japan.
Staffs are very kind. I think you can get good advice from them.
Unfortunately they are closed now because of Corona. I don’t know for how long…
But you can check website. “ thecovernippon.jp ”
And please let me recommend you 3 other China companies in Japan.
“Okura Touen” “Fukagawa Seiji” “Koransha”
Sorry if you already know.
In china u dumbass
YES, I also collect teapots, and tea sets when I travel too. There is a fairly large shop with some cool designs of every day items, using traditional techniques, made by local craftspeople / artisans. It supports both designers and and their dedication to keep traditional crafts technique alive, with modern sensibility.
It’s called [Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square](https://kougeihin.jp/en/aoyama/), in Tokyo, Minato-ku.
Carefully curated and beautiful items made with intention, and care.
As for Kyoto, I found some nice tea cups at this antique shop:
今井青楓堂
京都市東山区粟田口三条坊町51ー1
Tel: 075ー561ー8280
Are you working with the Chinese government?
For fancier stuff you have Japan Traditional Craft Aoyama in Tokyo.
If you can travel a bit, the speciality in some parts of the Kiso valley (I think it’s on the Chuo train line) is lacquerware, not quite China but typical as well and they obviously make tea sets.
I once had a student who had cherry wood saucers for her teacups. They were fantastic.
If you end up in Nagoya, there is a Noritake factory tour site, with a large gift shop.
You can also paint your own plate if you have the time.
https://www.noritake.co.jp/eng/mori/
And I’ll be there to shine in your Japan
To sparkle in your China, yes I’ll be there
Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva…
If you’re interested in pottery, I would recommend visiting a pottery town. There is a bus to Kasama (Ibaraki) and Mashiko (Tochigi) everyday from Akihabara it only takes around 2/3 hours and you’ll be able to see loads of interested stuff related. I would specially recommend Mashiko there are many museums and hundreds of potters there, you can just walk around the town and see kilns (huge traditional ones) and many of them are open studios so you can go in and buy work directly from the maker and they might even offer you some tea/show you around there place!
Then you can get the bus back early afternoon and you had a wonderful morning, got your cup and saw a new and extremely interesting part of japan. Rich in culture and history, this place in particular has great ties with the west and many famous European and America potters have work,studied and may even still live there today.
P.s There is a tourist information place at the bus station they are super friendly and will go out of their way to help you/throw a ton of information/leaflets your way. Everything is easy to walk to (small town) if you are able bodied.
Enjoy!
Edit*
Also you are much more likely to get a good deal if you go direct to the potter! Lots of the stores you will buy an actual handmade piece from will charge a premium.