What is Yunomi ? | 10 things to know about Yunomi, Guided by Japanese webmaster !

Yunomi is very popular item in Japanese life. As this is traditional, people from younger to elder generations use this item.

Today, I would like to explain about Yunomi in Japan. You will have proper information about Yunomi, after reading this page.

Benefit of reading this page

You can get detailed knowledge of Yunomi as item common in Japan, though 10 things to know about it. All of commentaries are by Japanese webmaster, based on experience of Japanese life.

This Article is written by

SHINTA+

Japanese Blog Writer | Born and raised in Japan. Lived, worked, visited in 21 countries in total. Introducing Japanese culture, based on experiences both domestic and international.

Table of contents

10 things to know about ‘Yumomi’
Postscript

10 things to know about ‘Yumomi’

In this paragraph, I would like to introduce Yunomi to you. Let me explain 10 things to know about this item, so that you can get knowledge easily and smoothly.

Please kindly open items what you want to know, from 10 things list.

1. What is ’Yunomi’ ?

‘Yunomi’ is kind of Japanese cup. The shape is generally cylindrical or tall form bowl-shaped. ‘Yunomi’ doesn’t have any handle.

Author’s research

2. What is the origin of the word, ‘Yunomi’ ?

‘Yunomi’ consists of two words, ‘Yu’ means ‘Hot water’ and ‘Nomi’ does ‘drink’.

In old era, ‘Yunomi’ was called ‘Yunomi Chawan’ (‘Chawan’ is kind of pottery, to have tea). And it changed to be short, ‘Yunomi’.

Reference : https://gogen-yurai.jp/chawan/

3. What is ‘Yunomi’ made from ?

‘Yunomi’ is kind of pottery, it is made from clay. It’s not popular, however, we see some ‘Yunomi’ made from other materials, such as plastic, glass, kind of metals, etc.

Author’s research

4. What kind of drink is with ‘Yunomi’ ?

Yunomi is mainly used to drink ‘Hot Green Tea’.

It is not bad to have other drinks, such as coffee, milk, juice, alcohol, etc. However, in general, ‘Yunomi’ is not used for these drinks. So Japanese feel strangeness when ‘Yunomi’ is used to serve coffee and juices.

Author’s research

5. Where can I get ‘Yunomi’ ?

As ‘Yunomi’ is quite popular item, we can get it in various places in Japan.

‘Yunomi’ is available in large size supermarket, like Ito-Yokado, AEON, OK stores, etc, and also in home centers (Kind of hardware store), like Shimachu, Cainz, etc, General merchandise stores, like MUJI, NITORI, etc, and 100 YEN shop, like DAISO, Can do, Seria, etc., and department stores, like Takashimaya, Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, etc. It is also available at some souvenir shops in tourist areas.

Author’s research

6. How much is ‘Yunomi’

‘Yunomi’ is available from JPY 100 to more than JPY 1 million.

As ‘Yunomi’ is very traditional item, it is sometimes priced with artistic value. In that case, the price is unlimited. However, in most of cases, ‘Yunomi’ is available with price less than JPY 2,000. We can get it with very reasonable prices.

Author’s research

7. What is the history of ‘Yunomi’ ?

The pottery to drink tea is coming from China, together with custom to drink tea, in Nara era, in 8th century. In development of tea ceremon, pottery to drink is spread in Japanese upper society. In Edo era, in 18th century, to drink tea with ‘Yunomi’ is spread to other society. Now, ‘Yunomi’ is very popular in Japan.

Reference: jtopia

8 Where is the famous production area of ‘Yunomi’ ?

Yunomi is one of pottery products. So you can get good quality Yunomi in production area of pottery. The famous pottery products and its production area are as follows :

Kutani Yaki in Ishikawa
Kiyomizu Yaki in Kyoto
Shigaraki Yaki in Shiga
Seto Yaki in Aichi
Mashiko Yaki in Tochigi
Bizen Yaki in Okayama
Arita Yaki in Saga
Imari Yaki in Saga
Hasami Yaki in Nagasaki

Reference : https://minne.com/mag/articles/2500

9. Why does ‘Yunomi’ have no handle ?

There are two theories.

The first one is with historical background of Japanese tea culture. In the past, it took rather long time to make tea. Even pouring hot water to ‘Yunomi’, as it took long time, tea was getting cold when people have it. So there was no need to put handle on ‘Yunomi.

The other one is to feel temperature of tea through ‘Yunomi’. It’s said that Japanese tea is good to have around body temperate. So it’s nice to have tea after people can have ‘Yunomi’ directly with one’s hands.

Reference : goo.ne.jp

10. Where does tourist have experience to have tea with ‘Yunomi’ ?

Tea is generally served with ‘Yunomi’, like Sushi restaurants, Soba restaurants, Tempura restaurants, etc. Please try to have Japanese tea with ‘Yunomi’ in these places !

Author’s research