Liquid Fire, Frozen in Clay — Shino Wood-Fired Teacup

Liquid Fire, Frozen in Clay

This Shino wood-fired teacup looks as though it was scooped straight from a volcano. Blazing amber, burnt sienna, and deep mahogany swirl across its surface in a glaze that seems to still be moving — molten, alive, and utterly one of a kind. It is a cup that radiates warmth before a single drop of tea is poured.

Glaze & Surface

The exterior is a striking cascade of fiery orange-red, deep chocolate brown, and flashes of iridescent blue-purple — all born from the interaction of iron-rich clay and wood ash in the kiln. The glaze is heavily textured: blistered, pitted, and pooled in rivulets that drip and freeze mid-flow. The rim is encrusted with a silvery-grey ash deposit, creating a dramatic contrast to the molten interior. Inside, a deep, glossy pool of dark amber and rust glaze spirals toward the centre, warm and luminous.

Form & Feel

• Rounded, slightly barrel-shaped yunomi form with a gently flared rim
• Compact and palm-sized — sits perfectly in one hand
• Thick, substantial walls with excellent heat retention
• Heavily textured exterior — tactile and grounding to hold
• Raw, unglazed foot ring revealing the dark stoneware clay body

Born in Fire

The distinctive colour of this cup is not painted or applied — it is the direct result of iron in the clay body reacting with the wood-fire atmosphere over days of firing. The kiln's heat, the ash, and the flame all leave their mark. What you hold is a record of that fire, preserved in ceramic forever.

For the tea lover who finds beauty in the elemental. A daily ritual object and a collector's treasure.

Care

Suitable for contact with tea. Hand wash gently and avoid abrasive cleaners. Variations and firing marks are part of this one-of-a-kind handmade piece.