tukumo Dripper: A Gift from Seto, Delivered by little flower coffee

little flower coffee is a specialty coffee shop nestled in the shopping street of Seto City—famous for its centuries-old ceramics tradition. With the concept “cherishing the small happiness and connections that bloom from a single cup of coffee”, the shop brings moments of joy and richness to everyday life.

Owner Honda-san personally designed and developed the tukumo Dripper, combining Seto’s local clay with the skill of regional artisans. The result is a dripper crafted to make brewing easier, more enjoyable, and more delicious.

The first prototypes began with a smooth inner wall, free of ridges or protrusions, aiming to create something distinct from existing products while keeping usability at the core.

Over 40–50 prototypes were made with a 3D printer, with countless adjustments to the number, length, and placement of bottom protrusions. The final design features five claws that allow air channels to form inside, preventing over-extraction and ensuring a stable, consistent brew.

Each piece is hand-finished by artisans—burrs removed, surfaces smoothed—and then individually inspected once more by Honda-san himself before reaching customers.

Seto’s Clay and the Spirit of the Name “tukumo”

Made from Seto’s uniquely fortified clay, the dripper is durable and long-lasting. The project was supported by both the land and the people Honda-san met along the way.

The holder is crafted from Hinoki cypress, a fragrant Japanese wood also sourced locally. It comes from trees felled during the maintenance of neglected forests, making it part of a cycle of sustainable use. With the help of woodworking studio Watari Kobo, the Hinoki was shaped into a holder that blends functionality with the natural warmth of wood.

The name “tukumo” comes from Tsukumogami (付喪神)—a spirit said to dwell in tools cherished and used for generations. It reflects Honda-san’s wish for the dripper to be something long-lived, passed down across time. The name also alludes to “tsukumo (白)”, one of the many names for white- inspired by the natural pale color of Seto clay, tying the product back to its material roots.

The tukumo Dripper is thus not just a brewing tool, but a piece meant to live and grow old with you, born of nature and people of Seto.

A Second Life for Every Piece

Because each dripper is handmade, subtle variations naturally occur. Some may show faint translucence in the clay after firing, or slightly deeper cuts in certain areas. Instead of discarding these, they are repurposed into candlestick holders, planters, and other objects in collaboration with local creators.

The tukumo Dripper is designed to work not only with cone-shaped filters but also with Kalita 155-size wave filters. This allows brewers to switch styles depending on the beans or mood of the day.

When rinsing cone-shaped filters, you may notice a small air pocket forming. This is natural—the weight of the second pour will press the filter snugly against the wall, preventing bypass and supporting a steady extraction. Recipes with a brew time under 2 minutes are possible, making it a great fit for busy mornings or café operations.

Honda-san recommends pairing it with cone-shaped filters made of abaca fiber, though wave filters are also chosen among users in Korea and work beautifully with tukumo.

Both hot and iced coffee can be brewed without changing grind size—just adjust bloom time. Even with a regular home kettle, the dripper delivers stability and clarity, making it approachable for beginners yet rewarding for enthusiasts.

The dripper lets you pour the water in one go, allowing you to observe and feel how the air pocket, initially created then pushed down, is leveraged to achieve the smooth and speedy flow rate- initiating a stable extraction, making this dripper your natural go-to for your daily coffee rituals.

Hot

Coffee: 14g
0:00–0:35 → 50ml
0:35–1:00 → +100ml (to 150ml)
1:00–end → +60ml (to 210ml total)
Finish around 1:40–2:00

Iced

Coffee: 14g
0:00–0:45 → 40ml
0:45–end → +100ml (to 140ml total), pouring vigorously as moving the spout up and down rhythmically to create agitation
Finish around 1:30
Pour into a glass with 80g of ice

Size: Φ110×70 + bottom hole Φ48㎜
Total weight: 185g
Dripper: 170g

Dripper: Fortified porcelain/Seto-yaki
Holder: Cypress

Recommended paper filter: cone-shaped filter for one cup, or Kalita wave filter 155 (or similar paper filter)

For intended use, heat resistant up to 100℃

The dripper itself is dishwasher/dryer safe, but please hand wash the holder with water to not to damage the waterproof treatment.

• Each dripper is hand made with care by a craftsperson. Please note that each product may appear different in color and pattern depending on the firing process and the glaze’s reaction during the production process.
• Please note that we do not offer product replacement of the same pattern/color variant.
• The holder is included in the package. Please note that the holder may soak the liquid and be stained as you use it.
• Please note that the outer box may occasionally have slight dents or creases due to handling. However, this does not affect the quality or condition of the product itself.