This Japanese stoneware tea bowl (chawan) features a distinctive carved spiral and ribbed exterior, creating strong rhythmic movement around the body. The form is wheel-thrown, with deliberate horizontal carving that enhances both visual depth and tactile presence. The glaze is a natural, softly translucent beige to light brown tone, pooling gently in the grooves and thinning on the raised areas, allowing the clay body to subtly emerge. The interior shows a smooth, calm glaze surface with natural firing variations, well suited for appreciation during tea preparation. The foot is carefully trimmed, revealing warm reddish clay at the base, a detail often appreciated in traditional tea ceramics. The bowl is unsigned, which is not uncommon for functional tea wares, and it is accompanied by a wooden storage box (tomobako), indicating it was preserved and valued as a tea utensil. Overall, the piece balances expressive surface treatment with a stable, well-proportioned form, making it suitable both for tea ceremony use and for collectors of Japanese ceramic art. Condition Good condition. No cracks or repairs observed. Minor firing marks and surface variations are consistent with hand-crafted pottery. Dimensions (approx.) Diameter: approx. 12 cm Height: approx. 7 cm Material Stoneware / Pottery Origin Japan A characterful Japanese chawan distinguished by its carved texture, natural glaze, and quiet yet powerful presence rooted in traditional ceramic aesthetics.