Rare Hozan Kiln [HOZAN] Teacups, Set of 6, hatano TAKARADA Unused, stored as shown in the photos. This is a rare series, as the backstamp doesn't appear in searches. For those who like it, or are looking for it, how about it? Cup diameter: 9 cm Saucer diameter: 15.5 x 16.5 cm Quote [About TAKARADA TAKARADA] Founded in Yokohama in 1882 (Meiji 15), it started as a custom-made furniture store, Takarada Shoten, and has walked alongside the history of "Motomachi," a town born with the opening of Yokohama port. Along with the changes in Motomachi, the business expanded from a furniture store to the sale of Western tableware for foreigners, then to the import and sale of Western tableware for domestic use, and finally to an original Western tableware manufacturer. Quote Here's the story of the kiln and workshop that produces Takarada originals in Motomachi. Since 1980, Takarada has set up an electric kiln and started producing original products at its own workshop, "Takarada Studio T&M." The predecessor of Takarada Studio T&M was the Hozan Kiln, which, in 1952, succeeded the Magakuzu Kiln of Miyagawa Kozan, known for "Hama-yaki," a traditional craft of Yokohama that began in the Meiji era, and manufactured original Takarada hand-painted vases, plates, cup saucers, and the like. At the time, it was well-received as a Yokohama souvenir by officers of the occupying forces stationed in Yokohama and captains of ships that docked at Yokohama Port, and it was also exported to the United States. After the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, as the era shifted from ships to airplanes, Hozan Kiln closed in 1971. Mr. Kotaro Kida, a hand-painting craftsman at Hozan Kiln, received an electric kiln from Hozan and, with the support of Yokohama City, inherited the techniques at the "Kibo Kosei Center," a vocational training center for people with disabilities, and instructed them in ceramic painting techniques. After that, he set up a new electric kiln at Motomachi 3-136, where Hozan Kiln was located, and restarted as a workshop, starting the production of the current Takarada original products. 70's 80's 90's Showa Retro Vintage Antique Made in Japan Japan Vintage