Madara Karatsu Mug by Mike Martino

A handmade Madara Karatsu mug by Karatsu-based ceramic artist Mike Martino.

We 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.

Madara 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.

Each 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.

The 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.

Designed for everyday use, this substantial handmade mug is well suited for tea, coffee, or any drink that invites you to slow down.

Details

• Handmade by ceramic artist Mike Martino
• Personally selected by After Tea in Karatsu, Japan
• Traditional Madara Karatsu-style glaze
• High-silica glaze made with rice-straw ash
• Light Karatsu clay blended with weathered porcelain stone and crushed sandstone
• Fired to Orton Cone 11
• Firing temperature of approximately 1320°C
• Suitable for tea, coffee, and other warm drinks

Care

Hand washing is recommended. Handle with care and avoid sudden changes in temperature.

Please 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.