Hexagon Tea Set

Introducing our original teaware collection, Hexagon, designed by ceramic artist Yuichi Murakami. Now available for the first time on the Amahare Online Shop.

This graceful hexagonal series—teapot, teabowl, and saucer—brings a sense of warmth and lightness to your table. Whether it’s Darjeeling, sencha, Taiwanese oolong, or even warm sake, the pieces naturally invite conversation and elevate your tea moments with their quiet charm and refined fragrance.

A Shape for Auspicious Days

The polyhedral form that Mr. Murakami describes as his “beloved hexagon” is beautiful even in shadow and light.
Traditionally seen in kikkō (tortoise shell) patterns, the hexagon is often used in auspicious settings—hare no hi, or days of celebration.

In nature, too, the hexagon appears in beehives and snowflakes—symbols of harmony and order.

Inspired by the rhombus motif of the Amahare logo,
Mr. Murakami envisioned a multi-faceted form, ultimately choosing the dignified hexagon—a shape also found in the sacred architecture of shrines and temples.

And thus, this quietly striking form came to be.

For the Everyday

When Mr. Murakami shared his thoughts—
“For Amahare’s first original tea utensil, I believe a teapot for black tea would be ideal.”
—I found myself quietly thinking, “Of course you would.”

Not a Japanese kyūsu, nor Chinese teaware—
but black tea. How very like Mr. Murakami.

When I asked why, he explained:
“Amahare is a brand that opens its doors wide, bringing crafted works to people around the world.
That’s why it felt only natural to create something for everyday use. A teapot large enough for the whole family to enjoy seemed fitting.”

It has now been more than a decade since we first began working together.
We are truly grateful to have such a thoughtful and generous friend in Mr. Murakami—
someone who deeply understands what Amahare stands for.

Not Just for Black Tea

Hexagon Tea Set was first unveiled during a spring tea gathering at the teahouse KYO, as cherry blossoms danced in the air.

For the occasion, we served a blend of green tea and fuki no tō (butterbur sprouts) using hexagon tea set. Naturally, we were curious to see how our guests would respond—but we were especially eager to hear Mr. Murakami’s thoughts.

His first words?
"This works beautifully with green tea, too."

The delicate aroma of the butterbur carried the essence of spring, lifting everyone’s spirits.

Indeed, just like with black tea, hexagon tea set draws out the full aroma of green tea—offering a rich and enjoyable tea experience.

There’s something special about sharing tea together—how it deepens connection and brings warmth to the moment.

Why the Hexagon Holds Such Appeal

Mr. Murakami describes the hexagon as a shape he has long admired—and the reason lies in the beauty of its shadows when rendered in the form of a teapot.

A square, he says, feels too far removed from practicality.
An octagon is functional, but lacks the impact of six sides.
To create a teapot that strikes the perfect balance between art and utility, the hexagon was the natural choice.

Yet the hexagon is among the most technically challenging forms to craft entirely by hand.

To bring this vision to life, Mr. Murakami collaborated with artisans of Mino ware, a renowned ceramic tradition of Japan. His studio is based in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture—one of the country’s most esteemed pottery regions.

In recent years, Mr. Murakami has deepened his relationships within the region, working alongside local craftspeople to explore new forms of making. He understands the value of identifying each other’s strengths and sharing the work accordingly—an approach that enhances both quality and efficiency, leading to truly refined results.

It is precisely this union—of Mr. Murakami’s unique ability to envision both function and form, and the technical mastery of the craftspeople—that has made this beautiful hexagonal creation possible.

Creating Harmony

After much consideration, we decided to offer the tea bowls and saucers as a set of four.

The teapot was created with the hope that it would become part of everyday life.
And so, it felt natural that the tea bowls and saucers, too, should be something to enjoy with family and friends—something to enrich shared moments over tea.

The saucers can also serve as small plates, and the bowls as small serving dishes—versatile pieces designed for daily use.

We hope that tea shared through hexagon tea set will bring harmony to space, to time, and to those gathered—filling the air with quiet comfort.

Afterword

Never did I imagine that the day would come when we could ask Mr. Murakami to create original tea utensils for Amahare.
In this, our tenth year, it brings me immense joy to have taken on the challenge of making something together with him.

Both the teapot and the bowl & saucer set come in a white box.
The Amahare logo, stamped in shining detail on the lid, is taken from a seal carved by Mr. Murakami himself.

To have received his support all the way to this final detail is truly moving.

The diamond shape of the Amahare logo represents both a drop of rain and a ray of sunlight.
It carries our belief that Amahare exists through the connection between the customer, the maker, and ourselves.

Through hexagon tea set,
we hope to share with you—and with Mr. Murakami—a life that feels gentle and balanced,
on rainy days and sunny days alike.

Photo / Eri Masuda @massu_90
Styling / Megu Okazaki（AMAHARE）
Text / Kenichi Kaneko（AMAHARE）@amahare_kaneko