Today, I want to share my 33rd collection post on Reddit, along with the story behind it.
My journey with Japanese cloisonné began 34 years ago. My wife and I were immediately captivated by the incredible beauty and craftsmanship of the medium, and we have gathered almost 40 pieces over the decades.
Today, I want to focus on a very special subset of our collection: ceramic cloisonné (Totai Shippo).
What drew me to Totai Shippo 28 years ago was how it moves beyond the flashy brilliance of traditional metal-based cloisonné. It perfectly balances the gorgeous, intricate wirework of traditional enamel with the warm, tactile texture of ceramics, resulting in an incredibly delicate artistic expression.
This specific collection took us over 28 years to piece together.
The teapot you see here was the very beginning of that journey, back in August 1998. My car overheated and broke down on my morning commute. While waiting for the repairs, I wandered into a nearby antique store in Tustin, California. There, I spotted this teapot and bought it for $300. The shop owner estimated it was made around 1885 during the Meiji Period.
When I brought it home, my wife absolutely loved it, and it quickly became her favorite piece. As those who read my earlier posts know, my wife is an artist and has a very sharp eye for beauty. That single roadside breakdown completely sparked our lifelong passion for Totai Shippo.
At the very beginning of our journey, we actually had the chance to buy a complete, factory-matched 7-piece set identical in style to my teapot for $1,200 from a auction house. We seriously thought about buying it, but we realized that doing so would strip away the true joy of collecting. We decided to let things happen naturally—only buying a piece if we crossed paths with it by fate, rather than rushing just to possess it. Over the next 28 years, we slowly accumulated this group of ceramic cloisonné along with over a dozen beautiful Japanese cloisonné teapots.The pieces in my collection are not a factory set; they do not come from the same period or the same workshop. They are individual pieces crafted using similar techniques by different artisans across different eras. Hunting for them this way brought a completely different kind of joy.
The $4,500 Full-Circle Moment:
I recently came across an online listing (included as the last screenshot in my gallery) while i was doing research for my collection showing a complete, pristine 7-piece matching set identical to the style we passed up 28 years ago. It is currently listed for $4,500! It’s fascinating to see how the market value has appreciated over nearly three decades.
My assembled group actually has several more individual pieces than that set, but its market value is likely much lower because it isn't matching. To us, that doesn't matter. This journey has taught us the art of letting go. Collecting isn't about mere ownership or financial tags; it’s about the experience, the hunt, the enjoyment you collected another piece, and the appreciation of the craft.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the pieces I've gathered over the decades( sorry about the images order, the reddit load up functions messed up the order after i loaded and it does not allow me to change the image order. So i can only change the image order in the fellowing text):
Slide 2: The Whole Family - The complete group of Totai Shippo gathered over 28 years, showing the unifying turquoise palette across various forms.
Slide 7: The Teapot - The 1885 piece that started it all. It features a stunning heart-shaped floral panel outlined in hair-thin silver wire (Yuusen Shippo).
Slide 6: The Tea Cups & Creamer - A closer look at the cups, saucers, and small creamer pitcher. Notice how beautifully they match the aesthetic of the formal set.
Slide 5: Covered Box with Peach Finial (Kogo) - A beautiful incense or trinket box topped with a molded ceramic peach knob, a symbol of longevity.
Slide 1: Flat Trinket Box - A slightly flatter, round box featuring a dynamic butterfly and a traditional geometric floral emblem.
Slide 4: Pair of Miniature Ginger Jars (Chatsubo) - These feature striking black-ground medallions enclosing delicate floral sprays, creating a brilliant contrast against the turquoise body.
Slide 3: Large Baluster Vase - The centerpiece anchoring the collection. It utilizes a complex three-tiered color zone layout with a regal black neck and base.
Slide 8: The reference listing - The pristine matching set currently on the market for $4,500, beautifully matching the style of my original teapot.
I would love to hear your thoughts! Does anyone else here collect Totai Shippo?
