Sushi-Ya Yunomi Teacup — "Sakana Zukushi" Fish-Name Calligraphy, Crackle Glaze

This yunomi (tea cup) is decorated in the classic "sakana zukushi" style seen in Japanese sushi restaurants and izakaya — a dense border of kanji naming different fish and seafood (salmon, sawara, aji, karei, tuna, unagi, and more, each with small furigana reading guides) printed in warm brown against a crackled ivory-white ground.

The cup features one large, bold brushwork character as its central motif — the calligraphic scale making it read almost as abstract art before resolving into a single word. The rim is finished with a warm amber-brown glaze line, and the base is dipped in a deep near-black glaze, creating a strong tonal frame around the busy fish-kanji pattern. A fine, dense crackle runs through the surface glaze throughout.

Details:

• Origin: Japanese ceramic yunomi, sushi-restaurant "sakana zukushi" (fish-name) design tradition

• Form: Cylindrical tea cup, flat unglazed-rim base dipped in dark brown glaze

• Decoration: Hand-printed kanji fish names encircling the cup, with one large bold character as the central motif; amber rim line

• Glaze: Crackled ivory-white body glaze, dark brown/near-black base dip

• Condition: Good vintage/secondhand condition — please check photos for chips, glaze wear, or firing marks beyond the characteristic crackle

• Quantity: Single piece

• Capacity: approx. 250ml

• Dimensions: approx. (L) 7.5cm x (H) 10.5cm