– An antique Japanese kobuku-jawan – the smaller "single-portion" tea-ceremony bowl format, used for individual servings of matcha – Aged tea-ceremony piece with the warm patina of years of use – Honest condition with noted rim chips, hairline cracks, and minor kiln scratches: approximately 6.4 cm tall × 9.8 cm in diameter Summary: An aged Japanese kobuku-jawan – a smaller "single-portion" chawan for individual servings of matcha within the tea-ceremony tradition. Where the standard chawan is shared between guests in turn during a chanoyu procedure, the kobuku-jawan is sized for individual use, with proportions that fit the hand comfortably for a single drinking of tea. The bowl carries honest condition: noted rim chips, hairline cracks, and kiln scratches consistent with an antique tea object that has lived its working life. A piece for European collectors drawn to the wabi-sabi sensibility of aged tea ceramics with their accumulated character. The kobuku-jawan format belongs to the broader Japanese chawan family but is distinguished by its smaller scale, typically used for individual rather than communal serving. The format has roots in the practice of single-host tea gatherings where each guest is served their own portion, and has been produced continuously across the centuries by various kilns under different regional names. The piece carries the typical traces of an antique tea object: a darkened glaze surface where matcha has worked into the kannyū crackle network over years, soft patina at the foot, and the gently uneven walls of a hand-built form. The condition issues – noted rim chips, hairline cracks, and minor kiln-fire blemishes – are part of the object's history rather than concealable faults. The Japanese tradition includes a long and venerated practice of kintsugi (golden-joinery) repair of damaged tea objects, in which cracks and chips are sealed with urushi lacquer mixed with gold powder, producing visible golden lines that emphasise rather than hide the damage. A kobuku-jawan in honest condition is often considered an excellent candidate for this kind of conservation, transforming the damage into a defining aesthetic feature rather than a fault. For European collectors, the piece appeals at the meeting point of two traditions: the broader European admiration for wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection and impermanence) and the more specific Japanese tea-ware collecting tradition that values use-patina and honest condition over museum-grade preservation. Condition: rim chips, hairline cracks, kiln scratches, and surface dirt – all noted clearly. The piece is offered as an honest antique with its history visible. Careful review of the photographs is essential before committing. A characterful, honestly aged Japanese tea-ceremony bowl. Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer's responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese ceramics and guarantee this piece's authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours. 1681