Product Description
Nankei Pottery: Ireko Chaki Tea Set - Sand
A complete tea ritual, nested in the palm of your hand.
The Ireko Chaki celebrates functional minimalism. "Ireko" refers to the traditional Japanese art of nesting objects within one another—a design philosophy Nankei Pottery has perfected to create a beautiful tea experience that fits into a single, compact silhouette.
This Houhin-style (handleless) set in Sand (Suna-neri) features a raw, textured exterior that feels like a smooth stone gathered from a riverbed, contrasted by some glazed interiors for modern versatility. It is the perfect companion for the modern tea drinker who values both portability and the profound sensory experience of traditional Banko-yaki.
The set consists of a Houhin teapot, and two tea cups that stack perfectly inside the pot. It is the ultimate companion for those who want to take their tea ritual from the home to a picnic or on a weekend escape.
The Suna-neri (Sand) clay is left unglazed on the outside, providing a non-slip, organic grip and a beautiful matte aesthetic that honours the raw Earth of Yokkaichi. This set features a glazed interior inside the cups, and unglazed interior inside the houhin. By leaving the inside of the houhin unglazed, the fine irregularities on the surface reduce the teas astringency – resulting in a mellow delicious taste. Due to the high clay firing the ceramic resists odours and can be used for a variety of teas.
As a classic Houhin, it is designed for brewing teas such as gyokuro and sencha at lower temperatures (up to 70∘C). The handleless design allows you to wrap your hands around the warmth of the pot, while the built-in ceramic strainer ensures a clear, leaf-free pour every time
Why choose a Houhin? The treasure bottle shape is specifically engineered to let premium tea leaves expand fully, extracting the deep savoury umami that high-grade Japanese greens are famous for.
Details
Made in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, Japan
Materials: Natural sand clay.
Houhin Finish: Unglazed sand exterior, unglazed sand interior.
Cups Finish: Unglazed sand exterior, milky white glazed interior.
Approximate capacity: Houhin: 120ml / Cup 1: 50ml / Cup 2: 30ml
Measurements
Houhin: 11.5 x 9 x H6cm / Cup 1: / Cup 2:
Instructions: Start pouring at a gentle angle and gradually tilt the vessel.
Care: Hand wash only. Not dishwasher safe, not microwave safe.
About Nankei Pottery's unglazed cups and tablewares:
This product highlights the raw texture of the clay. While oil stains may occur more easily than on glazed items, they can typically be removed by applying a small amount of detergent and scrubbing with a brush.
Because the houhin is unglazed and crafted from raw, mineral-rich earth, you may notice subtle orange blushes or tiny dark iron spots on the surface. These are not defects, but the natural mineral colours of the clay reacting to the high heat of the kiln. Each piece is a unique record of its firing, carrying the honest fingerprints of the Japanese landscape.
