Tsutsumi-yaki Guinomi, Sake Cup; Kenba Kiln, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture

Tsutsumi-yaki Guinomi, Sake Cup; by the Kenba Kiln in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. With signed wooden box. Although labeled a guinomi, this size of cup can also easily be a fine tea cup, especially for high-grade sencha or gyokuro. White glaze with copper green lip and shoulder. Ridged throwing marks circulate down the interior and exterior. The foot is unglazed. H. 2.75"(7cm) x Dia. 2.875"(7.125cm). Weight 148 grams. Volume 180ml (6 oz).  Tsutsumi-yaki pottery has been highly regarded in the Sendai region since the late 1600's. Tsutsumi-cho was a district of the current Sendai City, then known as Sendai Han (Sendai Domain) or Date Han (the domain of the region's famous samurai lord Date Masamune). Lower-ranking foot soldiers were charged with pottery production for the domain. Initially it was for tea ceremony wares for the feudal lords, but production eventually included daily use items for commoners. A well-known product that can still be seen in front of older Sendai homes and in pub