Seiha Tea Mug Crackle Glaze, Azure

Yes, the Seiha Tea Mug is safe for both microwave and dishwasher use.
That said, we recommend handling it with care. Place it gently in the dishwasher, avoiding contact with other items, especially along the rim, to prevent chips.

After washing, dry thoroughly with a soft cloth to help maintain the clarity and texture of its crackle glaze.

Definitely!
The Seiha Tea Mug set is made to be used every day, whether you're sipping tea during a quiet moment or enjoying another favorite drink.
It feels great in your hand, and the fine crazing on the surface gives it character that gets even better with time.
That’s actually what the maker, master potter Taichi Kawai, hoped for: that you’d use these cups often and take a moment now and then to notice how the glaze catches the light.
To keep them looking their best, just avoid soaking and make sure they’re dried well after washing.

If you’re using them a lot, you might want to try a traditional sealing method called medome to help protect the glaze from moisture and stains (more on that in the next question).

As mentioned earlier, if you’re planning to use your Tea Mug every day, it’s a good idea to try medome (目止め), a traditional Japanese way of sealing handmade ceramics.

Basically, it helps keep moisture, smells, and stains from soaking in, especially if your cup has that crackled glaze pattern (called kannyū 貫入 in Japanese).
It’s a simple step, totally optional, but many people do it before using new artisan pieces for the first time.

Here’s how you do it:
1. Put your mug in a pot with water and a small handful of uncooked rice.
2. Heat it up until it’s almost boiling, then let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. Turn off the heat, let everything cool down naturally, then rinse the tea mug and dry it gently with a soft cloth.

That’s it! The rice water fills in the tiny lines in the pottery glaze, helping protect the surface while keeping that beautiful texture. It’s a small act of care that connects you to the tradition behind your pottery mug, and helps it last even longer.

Absolutely.
With its refined shape, soft azure tones, and handcrafted finish, Seiha is an exceptional choice for those seeking meaningful and unique gifts, especially if you’re looking specifically for Japanese gifts.
Each mug is shaped one by one, with delicate crackle glaze patterns that catch the light and deepen over time, making it not just a gift, but an experience.
Whether offered as elegant pottery gifts for a special occasion or as a thoughtful gift from Japan, Seiha carries beauty, intention, and the quiet presence of true craftsmanship.

Each Seiha is more than a mug, it’s a singular work of craft. Shaped without molds, one by one, and finished with a soft crackle glaze, no two are ever alike.
The fine lines, gentle tones, and quiet weight in your hand are the result of a process guided by patience, not speed.
This isn’t something mass-produced. It’s a piece of Japanese pottery that carries the maker’s hand, the passage of time, and a sense of stillness you can feel.

Absolutely.
Seiha blends effortlessly with both Western and Japanese tableware. Its curved form, soft glaze, and subtle tones offer a calm contrast to modern ceramics, stoneware, or minimalist settings.
It also serves beautifully as one of your handmade coffee mugs, adding warmth and intention to daily rituals.
Rooted in tradition, but designed with flexibility in mind, Seiha brings quiet balance to any table.

Crazing happens when the glaze on pottery cools and shrinks a bit differently than the clay underneath, creating a web of tiny surface cracks.
In traditional Japanese pottery, this natural effect is known as kannyū (貫入). Rather than being seen as a flaw, it’s actually something people really appreciate in Japan, it adds character, warmth, and a sense of individuality.
These fine crack patterns, also called ceramic crazing or craquele in Europe, give each piece a one-of-a-kind texture, like a quiet signature left behind by the heat of the kiln and the hands that made it.
In the Seiha Tea Mug, these lines shift and catch the light in different ways as you use them, slowly changing over time. That’s part of the magic.
It’s not just about how the teacup looks when it’s brand new, it’s about how it grows with you.
As the crazing deepens, each cup becomes more personal, more yours. It’s all about finding beauty in imperfection, something deeply tied to the Japanese idea of wabi-sabi.

Absolutely.
While inspired by the tradition of the yunomi, Seiha is more than a tea vessel.
Its smooth form and gentle handle make it an ideal japanese coffee mug for your morning brew, a calming matcha mug in the afternoon, or even a cozy handmade mug for warm milk or hot cocoa on a quiet evening.
Adaptable and refined, Seiha brings intention and beauty to every moment, no matter the drink.