Arita miniature tea set with red and green maple leaf design, Showa era

This miniature tea set, crafted in Arita porcelain and hand-painted with red and green maple leaves, reflects the delicate artistry that flourished in mid-Shōwa Japan. The set’s small forms—a teapot, sugar pot, milk jug, cups and saucers, all laid out on a tray—are not just objects, but expressions of tradition, intimacy, and refined taste. Every touch of gold on the rim elevates the pattern and reveals how artistry was woven into even the smallest gatherings.

More than simply decorative, such micro-crafts have always been special to me—they carry the quiet beauty of everyday life, the interplay of color, form, and scale that defines the Je et Nous Annex aesthetic.

Details

  • Era: Showa era, mid-20th century
  • Maker / Brand: Arita ware (有田焼)
  • Technique / Materials: Fine porcelain hand-painted with maple leaf motif; gold rim accents
  • Motif / Design Accent: Red and green maple leaves on white porcelain

Curated by Kayo Setsuda

Je et Nous Annex — Nara, Japan.

A cultural archive of Showa-era Japanese crafts and beauty.