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A hand-glazed ceramic espresso cup and saucer with layered blue and white tones, set on a white background.
Close-up of the ceramic cup's handle and glaze texture, highlighting the rich blue gradient and artisan craftsmanship.
Side view of a blue and white glazed ceramic espresso cup with matching saucer, showcasing the rounded form and earthy base.
Shodai Ware Nakadera Kiln

Blue Shodai Espresso Cup and Saucer Set

Sale price$99.00

Crafted in the tranquil hills of Kumamoto, the Blue Shodai Espresso Cup and Saucer Set by Nakadera Kiln distills centuries of ceramic tradition into a modern form. The soft cascade of blue and ivory glaze, characteristic of Shodai ware, lends a painterly depth that shifts with every glance—cool and airy one moment, rich and earthen the next.

The iron-rich clay base provides a grounded counterpoint to the smooth glaze, while the petite cup rests elegantly on its matching saucer, echoing the harmony between form and function. Ideal for slow mornings or contemplative breaks, this set invites you to savor your espresso as an intentional ritual.

No two sets are identical, as each bears the hand of the artisan—subtle variations in tone and shape speaking to its one-of-a-kind nature.
A hand-glazed ceramic espresso cup and saucer with layered blue and white tones, set on a white background.
Blue Shodai Espresso Cup and Saucer Set Sale price$99.00

Meet the Artisan

Shodai Ware Nakadera Kiln

Nakaderagama is a family-run Shodaiyaki kiln located in Arao, Kumamoto. Led by father-and-son artisans Kohei and Tomonari Nishikawa, the kiln continues a regional tradition that spans nearly four centuries. Drawing from the old techniques of ko-shodai (early Shodaiyaki), Nakaderagama produces tea bowls, plates, sake cups, and everyday tableware that balance the raw beauty of wood-fired pottery with refined form.

Each piece is fired in a climbing kiln (noborigama) over multiple days, with firewood stoked by hand to create rich, ash-laden textures. No two pieces emerge the same. Through this process, the Nishikawas aim to honor the imperfections that give handmade pottery its life—firing marks, glaze drips, and color shifts that tell the story of flame and earth.

While rooted in heritage, Nakaderagama’s work speaks to modern sensibilities: quietly rustic, humbly elegant, and made for daily use. It is pottery with soul—crafted not to impress, but to belong in your hands, your kitchen, and your life.