“Great Wave off Kanagawa” – Matte Teaware Collection

The Great Wave, Softened in Matte

Each piece is made from high-fired white porcelain and fired at approximately 1300°C / 2372°F.

Across the surface, a matte glaze with a subtle rock-like texture gives the white porcelain a quieter, more tactile character. Deep-blue wave imagery sits against this restrained surface, softening the bold graphic contrast normally associated with the Great Wave.

Up close, the textured matte glaze gives each piece more depth and tactility. From a distance, the white-and-blue contrast remains immediately recognizable.

Rather than reproducing the complete artwork on every piece, the collection carries its visual energy through flowing wave imagery adapted to each porcelain form.

From Hokusai’s Great Wave to the Tea Table

Katsushika Hokusai’s Under the Wave off Kanagawa, better known as The Great Wave, was published around 1831 as part of his celebrated Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series.

The Edo-period woodblock print places a towering wave above small boats, with Mount Fuji appearing in the distance. Its dramatic composition and distinctive use of blue helped make it one of the most widely recognized images associated with Japanese art.

As Japanese prints reached Europe during the nineteenth century, Hokusai’s work also became part of the wider influence of Japanese art on Western artists and the development of Japonisme.

This collection brings that visual language into a quieter everyday setting, translating the movement of the wave into porcelain made for the tea table.

Katsushika Hokusai, Under the Wave off Kanagawa, c. 1830–1832. Public Domain.

Six Forms, One Great Wave Collection

The same matte white-and-blue visual language runs across six different pieces, while each keeps its own silhouette and purpose.

Although the forms differ, the shared matte porcelain surface and white-and-blue palette allow them to sit naturally together.

Build Your Own Great Wave Tea Setting

The collection is designed around individual pieces rather than one fixed combination.

Choose a single favorite cup, pair the Gaiwan with the cup shape you prefer, or combine the Teapot, Tea Boat, and several cup forms into a larger tea setting.

Because every form belongs to the same visual family, different silhouettes can be mixed together without losing the overall sense of continuity. Choose individual pieces to build your own combination, or select the Complete 6-Piece Set for one of each form in the collection.

Gift-Ready with Every Piece

Every piece in the Great Wave off Kanagawa Matte Teaware Collection comes with a TeaTsy gift bag.

Whether you choose a single tea cup, a brewing vessel, or several coordinating pieces, the included gift bag makes it easy to give for a birthday, housewarming, or to a friend who enjoys tea.

It also means you can choose a gift at the scale that feels right — from one distinctive cup to a larger coordinated tea setting.

FAQ

Q: Is this sold as a complete tea set?
A: Yes. You can purchase each of the six pieces individually, or choose the Complete 6-Piece Set, which includes one of every form in the collection.

Q: Can the different pieces be used together?
A: Yes. All six forms share the same matte white-and-deep-blue design language, so you can combine the Teapot, Gaiwan, Tea Boat, and different tea cup shapes according to your preferred setup.

Q: What is the teaware made from?
A: The collection is made from high-fired white porcelain and fired at approximately 1300°C / 2372°F, with a matte, subtly textured glaze surface.

Q: How should I clean the matte porcelain?
A: Rinse gently with warm water and wipe the exterior dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid abrasive scrubbers or harsh cleaning tools that may affect the matte surface.

Q: Can I use it in a microwave or dishwasher?
A: We do not recommend using the teaware in a microwave or automatic dishwasher. Gentle hand washing is recommended. Avoid sudden and extreme temperature changes.

Q: Does every piece include a gift bag?
A: Yes. Every individual piece comes with a TeaTsy gift bag.