Yunomi — literally means “hot water for drinking.” It’s short for Yunomi-jawan, where chawan means “tea bowl.” But for me, it’s come to mean much more than that.

The journey of creating my most loved piece — the Yunomi — has been nothing short of magical. It’s a story of connection, intuition, and, in many ways, a spiritual nudge. It was the moment the universe whispered to me: you’re on the right path.

It all began during one of my quarterly escapes to a pottery retreat tucked away in the quiet mountains of Himachal. At the time, I was still immersed in a demanding 9–5 corporate job. I had come there just to breathe, to pause. While walking through the studio, a particular piece caught my eye — something about its form, its texture, felt deeply familiar, like it was speaking directly to me.

I struck up a conversation with the artist who had made it, curious to understand the story behind it — what inspired the form, the technique, and how he had honed such an expressive style. That interaction stayed with me. It sparked something I couldn’t ignore. I requested a few prototypes, unsure of what would come of it, but certain that I needed to explore this further.

As I dove deeper, I learned about the Japanese philosophy behind the Yunomi — its roots in everyday rituals, its embrace of imperfection, and its focus on presence. Each piece, handmade and unique, embodies a way of living that felt so aligned with what I was seeking: stillness, simplicity, and soul.

I worked on the first few prototypes for months — late nights, long weekends — all while balancing my full-time job. When the initial batch was finally ready, I showed them to a few close friends and family. Their warmth and encouragement gave me the nudge to put them out into the world.

What happened next was something I never expected. The response was overwhelming. People connected with them — not just as mugs, but as moments of peace, as grounding objects in their everyday lives.

Since then, the Yunomi has become my personal ode to the mountains. Its surface reflects the rugged calm of mountain terrain. And with the Yin-Yang edition, I tried to capture the Zen-like clarity I feel when I’m up there — high above the noise, where everything suddenly makes sense.

This piece, to me, is more than design or craft. It’s a reminder that sometimes, when you pause to listen, the universe answers. And it’s in those quiet whispers that we often find our true path.