Zao Taki tea cup
Zao Taki is a combination of two extraordinary winter phenomena in Japan – the mysterious "snow monsters" of Mount Zao and frozen waterfalls, which transform into monumental ice sculptures in winter.
The shape of the cup is inspired by these two landscapes. On one hand, the soft, irregular silhouettes of snow-covered trees, on the other – a waterfall frozen in motion, its layers of ice forming an organic, almost fairy-tale structure.
The cup is made of porcelain, then covered with blue porcelain slip and glaze. The combination of these materials gives it exceptional depth and makes the surface look different depending on the light.
The most extraordinary effect, however, appears when the cup is placed against the light – the porcelain walls gently let it through, making the vessel subtly glow. The blue surface then resembles a frozen sheet of ice, through which winter light shines.
It's a small, utilitarian object inspired by a large, harsh landscape – a bit like a fragment of a frozen waterfall enclosed in a porcelain form.
Material: porcelain, blue porcelain slip, food-safe glaze.
Features: fired at 1210°C, food-safe, lead-free, non-toxic, suitable for hot and cold beverages.
Each piece is unique and hand-formed, so you receive a one-of-a-kind cup. Handicraft is not mass production – subtle differences in shape, color, and glaze distribution are a natural part of the creation process.
Made by Planty by Joanna Maria Rosińska
Handmade in Poland
Instagram: @planty.by.jmr