Silver, Blue-Green and the Pleasure of a Chilled Pour.

Product Description

Silver and blue-green meet across a textured surface, giving this Kagayaki tumbler a distinctive, quietly expressive character. Its tall, gently tapered form brings the finish into focus, with lighter reflections and deeper shades changing as the vessel turns in the hand.

The exterior is finished with antiqued silver plating. This treatment, known as 銀古美, deliberately ages the silver to develop blue-green tones. The coloration varies naturally, so each piece has its own balance of shade and contrast. Your tumbler may differ from the one photographed.

Beneath the finish is a pure copper body with a plated interior. Copper responds readily to temperature: a freshly chilled pour soon brings a cool sensation to the vessel. Designed for cold drinks only, it invites a slower moment with a favourite beer.

With a 440 ml capacity, the tumbler accommodates a 330–350 ml beer with room for the head. Set it beside simple ceramics or on a wooden tray to let its blue-green colour stand out. Its textured surface adds another detail to appreciate between sips.

Made in Tsubame, Niigata, it carries Made in TSUBAME certification, confirming its production origin. One tumbler is presented in a paulownia wood box, ready for an anniversary, a thank-you or a gift to someone with an eye for distinctive Japanese tableware.

Product Information
  • Contents: One tumbler with a paulownia wood presentation box
  • Body: Pure copper
  • Exterior: Silver plating with an antique finish (銀古美) and blue-green coloration
  • Interior: Plated
  • Capacity: 440 ml / approximately 14.9 US fl oz
  • Dimensions: Approximately 7.7 cm diameter × 13.7 cm high / 3.0 × 5.4 in
  • Weight: Approximately 188 g / 6.6 oz
  • Origin: Tsubame, Niigata, Japan
  • Certification: Made in TSUBAME
  • Supplier: Tamahashi; model KG-04
  • Use: Cold beverages only
  • Variation: Colour and shading differ between pieces and may vary from the photographs
Care instructions

Wash gently by hand with a soft sponge and mild dish soap. Rinse and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth after use. Follow the care instructions supplied with the tumbler.

The blue-green antique finish is intentional. Avoid abrasive pads, scouring powders and vigorous rubbing. Do not use silver polish or tarnish-removing treatments on the coloured exterior unless the maker specifically recommends them; they may alter the finish.

Use for cold drinks only. Do not heat the tumbler or place it in a microwave.

Artisan & Craft
Artisan & Craft

Made in Tsubame, Niigata, this Kagayaki tumbler carries Made in TSUBAME certification, identifying its certified production origin. Supplied by Tamahashi, it brings a distinctive surface treatment to the region’s metalware tradition.

The exterior silver plating is deliberately aged to develop blue-green coloration. This antique treatment, called 銀古美, creates changing contrasts across the textured surface. The depth and distribution of colour vary naturally, giving each tumbler its own appearance.

Note

The antique-silver exterior is intentionally coloured. Blue-green tones and shading vary naturally; your tumbler will not exactly match the photographs. For cold drinks only. Copper responds quickly to temperature; do not expect the prolonged cold retention of a vacuum-insulated cup.

Questions About This Piece

What gives the antique-silver finish its blue-green colour?
The exterior silver plating is deliberately aged to develop blue-green tones. This is an intentional decorative finish, not a uniform painted colour. Its depth and shading vary naturally, so your tumbler may look different from the photographs.
How much beer does it hold, and can I use it for hot drinks?
The stated capacity is 440 ml, approximately 14.9 US fl oz. A 330–350 ml pour leaves room for the beer’s head. Use it for cold drinks only. Copper quickly takes on the temperature of its contents; it does not chill a warm drink by itself or provide vacuum-flask insulation.
How should I care for the antique finish?
Hand wash gently with mild dish soap and a soft sponge, then dry with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasives and vigorous rubbing. Do not try to polish away the blue-green colour: it is part of the design. Use silver polish or tarnish removers on the exterior only if specifically recommended by the maker.
Does it come in a gift box?
Yes. One tumbler comes in a paulownia wood presentation box. Its naturally varied finish and certified Tsubame origin make it a thoughtful gift for a beer enthusiast or someone who appreciates Japanese metalware.
An artisan at work in a Japanese metalworking workshop
A glimpse into Japanese metalworking. Techniques vary by maker and piece.

Japanese metalwork · Material, form & finish

The art of metal. The pleasure of everyday use.

In Japan, metalworking has long brought together practical purpose and an eye for beauty. From copper shaped with hammers in Tsubame to vessels cast in Takaoka, regional traditions have given everyday objects a distinctive character.

A tumbler brings that story close: in the curve of its body, the feel of its surface and the way its finish catches the light. Different metals and techniques create different experiences, making the details of each piece worth discovering.

Material The metal beneath the finish
Form Balance, proportions and feel
Finish Texture, colour and reflected light

Many regions. Distinct traditions.
The maker, origin and construction of this tumbler are listed in its product details.

Discover Japanese metal drinkware

A closer look. A more considered choice.

Understand the craft, choose for the way you drink, and enjoy the details every day.

What makes Japanese metal drinkware distinctive?

Japan’s metalworking regions bring different skills to the table. Tsubame is known for metal utensils and copperware; Takaoka has a long casting tradition. Shaping, casting, polishing and surface finishing each contribute to a vessel’s character.

The appeal is in the details: the proportions, the rim, the texture and the finish. The techniques used vary by maker and product, so the story of the individual piece matters as much as its place of origin.

What is the difference between the metal and the finish?

The body is the base metal; the finish is its surface treatment. A copper tumbler, for example, may have a tin-plated interior or a gold- or silver-plated finish. A gold-coloured vessel is not necessarily solid gold, and a silver-coloured vessel is not necessarily solid silver.

Read the body material, interior lining and exterior finish together. This gives you a clearer picture of what you are choosing and how to care for it.

Is every tumbler made by hand?

Methods differ. Some vessels are shaped by repeated hammering; others are cast in moulds or formed with machinery, sometimes followed by hand finishing. A textured surface alone does not establish that a tumbler is hand-hammered.

Look for the specific technique in the product description. Each method offers its own possibilities for shape, precision and surface character.

Will it keep my drink cold, and can I use it for hot drinks?

Construction matters as much as the metal. A single-wall metal tumbler can quickly feel cool when filled with a chilled drink, but this is different from the temperature retention of a vacuum-insulated vessel. Double-wall construction does not automatically mean vacuum insulation.

Use the temperature guidance for the individual product. A tumbler marked for cold drinks only should not be used for hot drinks. Check any restrictions on acidic drinks or prolonged storage too, as these depend on the lining and finish.

How do I choose the right size and feel?

Start with your usual drink and serving size, allowing space for ice or foam. Then compare the height, diameter and weight: two tumblers with the same capacity can feel quite different in the hand.

Consider the rim and surface as well. A slender form, a wider opening and a textured finish each offer a different experience. Use the dimensions and close-up photographs to find a piece that suits your daily ritual.

How should I care for the surface and finish?

Follow the maker’s instructions for the exact metal and finish. Gentle hand washing with a soft sponge and mild detergent, followed by careful drying, is a sensible starting point when permitted by those instructions. Use a dishwasher only when the product is explicitly described as dishwasher-safe.

Some surfaces change in tone with use; others have a coating or deliberately aged finish. Avoid abrasive pads and metal polish unless the maker recommends them, as they can alter plating or remove an intentional surface treatment.

Choosing for yourself or as a gift? We can help clarify the material, dimensions or presentation of a piece.

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