Vintage Japanese Couple’s Tea Cup Set by Tsuruta Yoshirō

A pair of vintage Karatsu-yaki yunomi by potter Tsuruta Yoshirō of Karatsu Tōen’s Hiari-an kiln in Saga Prefecture, Japan.

The two cups are traditionally arranged as a matched kumi-yunomi, or meoto-yunomi set, with one cup slightly larger than the other. Meoto means “married couple” in Japanese, and these complementary tea-cup sets are traditionally given as wedding or anniversary gifts, symbolising companionship and harmony between two people. They are presented in their original divided wooden box and accompanied by the kiln’s original paper leaflet, which describes the earthy materials, wood-ash glaze and historic Karatsu pottery traditions that inspired the work.

The leaflet identifies the maker as Tsuruta Yoshirō of Karatsu Tōen and Hiari-an. Its five-digit postal code suggests a late Shōwa-period date, most likely around the 1970s or 1980s.

Origin: Imari, Saga Prefecture, Japan
Potter: Tsuruta Yoshirō, 鶴田芳朗
Kiln: Karatsu Tōen / Hiari-an, 唐津陶苑・日在庵
Style: E-Karatsu, 絵唐津
Period: Late Shōwa, estimated 1970s–1980s
Includes: Two yunomi, original wooden box, and kiln leaflet

Condition: Excellent vintage condition with light age-related wear to the wooden box and paper leaflet. No chips, cracks or repairs noted. Subtle variations and firing marks are characteristic of handmade Karatsu pottery.