Traditional Japanese pottery OKINAWA tsuboya ware Yachimun ( Ocean AND Earth collection) handmade in Okinawa Japan.(with wood box and callig

海のそばの、ふだんのうつわ
Utsuwa by the sea, for everyday life


yachimun やちむん — Okinawan Pottery collection

Shaped by waves, wind, and flame, yachimun speaks the language of the sea.

Born from southern sunshine, ocean winds, and the vibrant spirit of island life, yachimun (やちむん) is the traditional pottery of Okinawa where is considered one of the world’s original “Blue Zones” — regions where people live unusually long and healthy lives.

Before its annexation by Japan in the late 19th century, Okinawa existed as an independent kingdom for 600 years. Positioned between China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, its distinct language and culture were shaped through centuries of maritime exchange.

From this crossroads history emerged yakimon—particularly Tsuboya ware, which originated in the Tsuboya district of Naha in the late 17th century. Shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, yachimun carries the memory of sun and sea in both form and spirit. Made for daily life, it blends diverse influences into bold forms, rich glazes, and a warmth that sets it apart from mainland Japanese ceramics.

Unlike Kyō ware tea bowls, often created for elite tea ceremonies, Okinawan pottery was made by the people, for the people. Intended for daily use rather than ritual display, yakimon gains depth and character through time. It was developed with an emphasis on durability, warmth, and practicality—vessels meant to live alongside their owners, not sit apart from them.

Visually, yachimun differs clearly from mainland Japanese ceramics. Influenced by Southeast Asian pottery traditions, its design language is open, bold, and expressive. Iron-rich clays, confident forms, and spontaneous surface treatments define its character. Slip decoration, rhythmic carving, and freely applied glazes give each piece a sense of movement and vitality.

The ocean is an eternal source of inspiration in yakimon. Fish, waves, and flowing currents appear naturally—not merely as decoration, but as reflections of island life itself.

Those who encounter Okinawan pottery are often immediately touched by its distinctive artistic language: honest, powerful, and deeply alive.

You will feel the passion embedded in Tsuboya ware the very first time you hold it.
Please enjoy using it.

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this list of collection of Okinawa yachimun will be constantly updated by adding new art works.
current available works :

(1) blue Yanbaru Kuina hand painted Yunomi

Hand-painted Okinawan Tsuboya Ware by Kokuba Pottery
A special yunomi teacup featuring the Yanbaru Kuina — a motif found only in Okinawan pottery.
The Yanbaru Kuina is a protected wildlife species native to the Yanbaru Forest in northern Okinawa. Once close to disappearance, this small forest bird has become a symbol of the island’s fragile yet resilient nature.
Unlike cranes or phoenixes in mainland symbolism, the kuina is:
• not majestic
• not powerful
• not heroic
it is Small, grounded, and ordinary — yet irreplaceable and quietly endearing.
It reflects the philosophy of Okinawan yachimun:
humble beauty found in everyday life.
Its charming form is lovingly hand-painted on the side of the cup.
This Aka-e (red overglaze) yunomi is created by Kokuba Pottery, inheriting the traditional techniques of historic Tsuboya ware. Warm hand-painted brushwork brings life and character to each piece.
• The playful strokes capture the kuina in lively motion
• Vibrant red and green motifs express Okinawan color and warmth
• Each cup shows subtle variation — no two are identical
• Comfortable in the hand, suitable for tea or coffee
A piece that lets you enjoy a quiet drink while feeling the gentle spirit of Okinawa..


(2) Brown Karakusa yunomi tea cup

A beautifully crafted Yachimun yunomi by ceramic artist Kenji Fukuda.
This yunomi features the traditional karakusa pattern — one of the most enduring motifs in Japanese decorative art.
Karakusa (唐草) literally means:
• 唐 (kara) → “Tang” / China ( same applies to Kara-te which means Chinese fists)
• 草 (kusa) → grass or plant
So it means: “Chinese grass” or “foreign vine.” since the karakusa pattern ultimately traces back to the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East, before arriving in China and later Japan.
The karakusa motif symbolizes continuous growth, prosperity, and the interconnected flow of life. Its endlessly curling lines represent vitality and generational continuity — a design that has been cherished in Japan for centuries.
On Okinawan yachimun, the karakusa becomes especially dynamic and expressive. The free, rhythmic brushwork reflects the spirit of the island — organic, energetic, and alive — transforming a traditional motif into something warm and deeply personal.
This cup is comfortably sized to fit in the hand — especially easy and pleasant for women to use.

Kenji Fukuda works in Ogimi Village, Okinawa.
From 1986, he trained for ten years in Yomitan Village, where he studied the fundamentals of traditional Yachimun pottery. In 1996, he established his own workshop at his current location. While inheriting the traditions of Yachimun, he incorporates his own distinctive sensibility, creating deeply expressive and richly nuanced works.
To this day, he continues to use a traditional wood-fired kiln, firing his kiln three times a year. His memorable use of color and his delicate yet abundant patterns are especially captivating.

(3) Fish & Wave painted Motif Yellow Yunomi
This fish and wave motif yunomi (teacup) is handmade by Okinawan potter Shoichiro Miyagi in his studio in Nanjo City, located in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
Formed from local Okinawan clay in Nanjo, this yunomi carries the soft grain of the island’s earth.
It expresses a truly iconic and organic Okinawan aesthetic, embracing the natural elements of this southern island.
The freely painted fish and wave motifs reflect the sea-centered life of Okinawa — simple, relaxed, and full of warmth. The soft texture of the clay and the lively brushwork grow richer with time, quietly becoming part of your routine — like a familiar companion at the table.
It is meant to be held, used, and slowly appreciated through daily moments.
A cup that brings a gentle island atmosphere into ordinary life.

(4) Fish carving Motif brown. Tsuboya Ware Yunomi

Made in Yomitan, Okinawa, by Yoshihiko Kinjo, grandson of Living National Treasure Jiro Kinjo and trained under his father Toshio Kinjo.
Each of his works is carefully made with great attention to quality.
Using Okinawan clay, Okinawan glazes, and even Ryukyu pine firewood in the kiln, the piece strongly reflects traditional craftsmanship.
The fish motif is drawn simply, without ornament — a familiar presence from island life.
Balanced in the hand and easy in use, it belongs not to display, but to daily meals.
A vessel shaped by lineage, yet meant for ordinary days.



Hand wash only.

Special Touch
Packaged in a paulownia wood box with handwritten calligraphy, and includes a story card explaining the yachimun tradition.

Size
Approx. 290 ml
12 cm × 8 cm

Shipping
Ships from Québec, Canada.

Gift Wrapping
Free Japanese-style gift wrapping available upon request.