{"title":"Teaware","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA considered collection of handmade teaware, personally selected in Japan by After Tea. From wood-fired Karatsu pottery to everyday tea vessels, each piece reflects the materials, techniques, and individual touch of its maker—designed to bring intention and beauty to your daily ritual.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"karatsu-yaki-guinomi","title":"Chōsen Karatsu Wood-Fired Guinomi by Mike Martino","description":"\u003cp\u003eA hand-pinched guinomi by Karatsu-based ceramic artist Mike Martino.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe met Mike at his pottery studio in Karatsu, Japan, where we personally selected these pieces for After Tea. His work draws from the region’s centuries-old pottery traditions and celebrates the natural character created by clay, ash, glaze, and flame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach generously sized guinomi is formed by pinching a ball of clay by hand rather than throwing it on a pottery wheel. This process leaves subtle impressions from the maker’s hands and gives every cup its own organic shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cups are glazed in the Chōsen Karatsu style using two ash glazes applied in slightly overlapping layers. During firing, the glazes flow down the surface and react with the clay, creating natural variations in color, texture, and movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach piece was wood-fired for approximately 55 hours, reaching a temperature of about 1320°C (2408°F). The extended firing allows flame and wood ash to leave distinctive marks across the surface, making every cup unique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally used for sake, this larger guinomi is also a beautiful vessel for tea, espresso, bourbon, or anything enjoyed slowly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetails\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Handmade by ceramic artist Mike Martino\u003cbr\u003e• Personally selected by After Tea in Karatsu, Japan\u003cbr\u003e• Hand-pinched rather than wheel-thrown\u003cbr\u003e• Chōsen Karatsu-style overlapping ash glazes\u003cbr\u003e• Wood-fired for approximately 55 hours\u003cbr\u003e• Fired to approximately 1320°C\u003cbr\u003e• Suitable for sake, tea, espresso, bourbon, and other small servings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCare\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand washing is recommended. Handle with care and avoid sudden changes in temperature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note: Because every guinomi is shaped, glazed, and fired individually, the piece you receive will vary slightly from the one photographed. Variations in shape, glaze, color, texture, and firing marks are natural characteristics of the handmade process.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"After Tea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49161587261610,"sku":"AT-ACC-MARTINO-GUINOMI","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0701\/6025\/3098\/files\/1C8F387C-FD98-4D5D-8164-620EE33D43D9.jpg?v=1788018177"},{"product_id":"madara-karatsu-mug-by-mike-martino","title":"Madara Karatsu Mug by Mike Martino","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA handmade Madara Karatsu mug by Karatsu-based ceramic artist Mike Martino.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe met Mike at his pottery studio in Karatsu, Japan, where we personally selected these mugs for After Tea. His work draws from the region’s centuries-old pottery traditions while highlighting the natural qualities of local materials and high-temperature firing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMadara Karatsu is distinguished by its softly mottled white glaze. Its high silica content comes from the inclusion of rice-straw ash, producing subtle shifts in color and texture across the surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach mug is made with a light Karatsu clay body blended with granules of weathered porcelain stone and crushed sandstone. These materials give the clay a distinctive texture that remains visible beneath the pale Madara glaze.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe mug was fired to Orton Cone 11—approximately 1320°C (2408°F)—allowing the glaze, clay, and mineral inclusions to react naturally in the kiln. Each piece emerges with its own variations in tone, texture, and surface detail.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned for everyday use, this substantial handmade mug is well suited for tea, coffee, or any drink that invites you to slow down.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Handmade by ceramic artist Mike Martino\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Personally selected by After Tea in Karatsu, Japan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Traditional Madara Karatsu-style glaze\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• High-silica glaze made with rice-straw ash\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Light Karatsu clay blended with weathered porcelain stone and crushed sandstone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Fired to Orton Cone 11\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Firing temperature of approximately 1320°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Suitable for tea, coffee, and other warm drinks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand washing is recommended. Handle with care and avoid sudden changes in temperature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease note: Each mug is individually shaped, glazed, and fired. The piece you receive will vary slightly from the one photographed. Differences in shape, glaze, color, texture, and firing marks are natural characteristics of handmade pottery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"After Tea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49162158440618,"sku":"AT-ACC-MARTINO-MUG","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0701\/6025\/3098\/files\/5F130574-9764-4B2C-B298-B2555CBBD685.jpg?v=1788019438"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0701\/6025\/3098\/collections\/35AE072B-2D14-425A-9481-59FD0D0CFF7D.jpg?v=1788019696","url":"https:\/\/aftertea.co\/collections\/teaware.oembed","provider":"After Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}