Getting quality ice crackle celadon sencha cups and Tenmoku-gata cups is tough. I fell in love with ice crackle early on, but I always dreamt of having sencha cups in this style.
It is thin, light, and elegant. Ice crackle is often heavy, but there is a typical Kyo-ware grace, a tactile flavour. The heat seeps through quickly into the glaze. The lip of the cup feels stunning! Toshio Furukawa is a master!
I love contrasting ice crackle celadon, cheap Mino ware and this luxurious Kyo ware piece. Both are incredible, but the difference in weight, texture, and heat distribution are fascinating. Thick ice crackle will slowly warm up and offer a comforting weight, offering a sensation akin to Northern Japanese tea ware.
I recommend combining this cup with a sencha of a matcha cultivar (Saemidori, Okumidori, Asanoka, Gokou). The brothy senchas complement the Tenmoku-gata shape and the delicacy of the cup!
