1981 Franklin Mint Porcelain Tea Cups "Twelve Months of the Year" by Kinuko Yamabe Japanese Sake Cup Flower of the Month Replacemts.

Details

Bring the timeless elegance of Japanese artistry into your home with these rare, vintage porcelain tea cups from 1981.

Commissioned by the Franklin Mint and meticulously crafted in Japan by Franklin Porcelain, this highly collectible limited-edition series is titled "The Tea Cups of the Twelve Months of the Year." Each cup showcases the breathtaking, intricate artwork of renowned Japanese painter Kinuko Yamabe, celebrating the traditional oriental calendar.

Every single porcelain cup beautifully highlights a specific seasonal bird and flower pairing unique to that month. The vibrant floral scenes are balanced by a brilliant 24k gold-trimmed rim and a traditional geometric blue border. Perfectly sized to use as traditional Asian tea cups, sake cups, or to display as elegant cabinet curios.

Whether you are looking to replace a missing piece in your heirloom set, looking for a meaningful gift, unique present, gift to a sake lover, to serve oriental tea, or starting a new collection, these individual cups make a stunning addition to any home.

✨ Product Details:
• Manufacturer: Franklin Porcelain / Franklin Mint
• Illustrator: Kinuko Yamabe
• Year of Release: 1981
• Origin: Crafted in Japan
• Material: Fine Porcelain with Hand-Gilded 24k Gold Accents
• Dimensions: Approx. 3.25" Height x 2.25" Diameter
• Capacity: 100ml
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, crazing, or scratches. 24k Gold Gilding and colors remain vibrant. (See All Photos for Conditions)

🧼 Care Instructions: Due to the delicate hand-painted details and genuine gold accents, these pieces should strictly be hand-washed. Do not microwave or place in a dishwasher.

Option Available


Winter & Spring Months

🌸 1. January — Plum Blossom (Top Cup)
Celebrate new beginnings with the design representing the first month of the traditional oriental calendar. This cup features vibrant red and pink plum blossoms bursting from textured mossy branches. In Japanese culture, the plum blossom (Ume) is beloved as a symbol of resilience and hope, being the very first flower to bloom while snow is still on the ground. Elegant songbirds perch among the petals, bringing life to this winter scene.

🌸 2. February — Peach Blossom (Middle Row, Left)
Capturing the gentle transition into early spring, this cup showcases delicate clusters of pink peach blossoms draping softly across the porcelain. Symbolizing longevity, renewal, and feminine grace, the soft pastel hues of the blossoms are masterfully balanced by deep navy and charcoal birds nesting amidst the branches. It brings a serene, romantic aesthetic to the collection.

🌿 3. March — Peony (Middle Row, Right)
Representing the peak of spring luxury, this design features the majestic peony, traditionally known as the "King of Flowers." The cup showcases a stunning, large-scale composition of soft white and pale blue peonies accented by intricate foliage. Symbolizing nobility, honor, and prosperity, this piece is beautifully complemented by a pair of elegantly illustrated birds weaving through the lush garden scenery.

🌺 4. April — Cherry Blossom (Third Row, Left)
No Japanese collection is complete without the iconic Sakura. This cup captures the fleeting beauty of April's cherry blossoms in brilliant, vivid color. Unlike monochromatic depictions, this lively design features a rich mix of deep crimson poppies and delicate pink cherry clusters blooming together. A striking black-and-white bird grounds the canvas, symbolizing the vibrant energy of mid-spring.

💮 5. May — Magnolia (Third Row, Center)
An exceptionally elegant cup that celebrates the arrival of early summer. This design features pristine, cup-shaped white magnolia blossoms growing alongside dense clusters of smaller forest flowers. Symbolizing nobility and a love of nature, the clean white and deep forest-green tones create a refreshing, sophisticated contrast against the fine white porcelain backdrop.

🌊 6. June — Pomegranate & Iris (Third Row, Right)
Capturing the refreshing atmosphere of early summer, this unique design pairs vibrant pomegranate branches with elegant water irises. Swirling ribbons of stylized blue water flow across the bottom of the cup, paying homage to traditional Japanese riverbank motifs. Symbolizing fertility, abundance, and good fortune, this highly dynamic piece adds wonderful movement to the collection.

🌼 7. July — Lotus (Bottom Row, First from Left)
Embodying pure summer serenity, this cup beautifully illustrates the sacred lotus flower rising from a calm pond. The artwork showcases a striking blend of fully bloomed white lotuses, golden water lilies, and lush green lily pads. Representing purity, enlightenment, and peace, the composition is brought to life by a highly detailed water bird skimming gracefully across the scene.

🍃 8. August — Pear Blossom (Bottom Row, Second from Left)
This cup represents the lush green height of late summer with delicate white pear blossoms nestled among dense, sprawling leafy vines. Symbolizing comfort and lasting health, the artwork relies on a sophisticated palette of soft sage greens, crisp whites, and gentle cream tones. A pair of tiny songbirds are tucked quietly into the foliage, making it a delightfully subtle and peaceful design.

🍂 9. September — Bush Clover (Bottom Row, Third from Left)
Marking the delicate arrival of autumn, this cup depicts the graceful, weeping branches of purple and pink bush clover (Hagi). As one of the traditional seven flowers of autumn, its slender branches bow gently alongside wild white field blossoms and changing leaves. Symbolizing grace and the beauty of passing time, it is a poetic and deeply traditional Japanese design.

💮 10. October — Chrysanthemum (Bottom Row, Fourth from Left)
A magnificent design dedicated to the imperial flower of Japan. This cup features a dense, luxurious bouquet of fully bloomed chrysanthemums in a rich spectrum of magenta, pink, and crisp white. Representing longevity, rejuvenation, and regal elegance, this celebratory autumnal piece is crowned by a long-tailed bird resting gracefully on a branch above the floral canopy.