Tea bowl - Pottery - Sado / Matcha






Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
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Japanese pottery matcha bowl (chawan) with tenmoku glaze, dating to the 1970s–1980s, in good vintage condition, height 6.6 cm, diameter 12.8 cm, weight 190 g, associated with the Enshu school of tea ceremony.
Description from the seller
【Item Description】
This is a beautifully crafted Japanese matcha tea bowl (chawan) that embodies the refined aesthetics of traditional tea ceremony. The bowl features a captivating tenmoku-style glaze with a deep black base elegantly accented by natural amber and brown streaks that cascade down the exterior, creating a visual effect reminiscent of flowing water or silk.
One of the most notable characteristics of this bowl is its gently flared rim (soriage), which creates an intimate connection between the bowl and the drinker. This subtle outward curve allows the rim to fit comfortably against the lips, enabling the tea to flow smoothly and broadly across the tongue. This thoughtful design helps enhance the delicate flavors and aromas of matcha, allowing one to fully appreciate its subtle sweetness and fragrance.
The piece demonstrates skilled craftsmanship with well-balanced proportions and an graceful form. The interior reveals a smooth, lustrous black glaze that provides a serene backdrop for whisking matcha, while the foot ring shows the natural clay body, adding an artisanal warmth to the piece.
This bowl was previously cherished by a tea ceremony master of the Enshu School (Enshu-ryu), one of Japan's most respected tea ceremony traditions, which suggests its quality and suitability for the tea ceremony. The understated yet striking design makes it appealing both for tea practice and as a distinguished piece in a collection of Japanese ceramics.
The natural kiln effects created during firing give each viewing angle its own character, with the glaze patterns flowing in unique ways—a quality often appreciated in Japanese pottery. This bowl invites quiet contemplation and offers a meaningful connection to the time-honored tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony.
【Size】
Height: 6.6 cm
Diameter: 12.8 cm
【Weight】
190 g
【Condition】
The bowl appears to be in good vintage condition with gentle wear consistent with tea ceremony use, which adds to its authentic character and charm.
【Artist Profile】
Artist unknown. This piece appears to be the work of a skilled craftsman working in the traditional style of Japanese tea ceremony pottery.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
Shipping & Important Notice
[Shipping]
The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan with tracking via Japan Post, DHL, or FedEx, depending on the situation. It normally takes about 3 weeks for delivery.
[Customs and Duties] Import duties, taxes, and VAT are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility and vary by country.
[Important: Delivery Contact]
Sometimes Customs or the delivery company in your country will contact you via phone or email for clearance. Please ensure you can answer their call. If the parcel is returned due to a lack of contact, the buyer will be responsible for the additional return and reshipping costs (which can be double the original fee).
I appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Bid with confidence!
【Item Description】
This is a beautifully crafted Japanese matcha tea bowl (chawan) that embodies the refined aesthetics of traditional tea ceremony. The bowl features a captivating tenmoku-style glaze with a deep black base elegantly accented by natural amber and brown streaks that cascade down the exterior, creating a visual effect reminiscent of flowing water or silk.
One of the most notable characteristics of this bowl is its gently flared rim (soriage), which creates an intimate connection between the bowl and the drinker. This subtle outward curve allows the rim to fit comfortably against the lips, enabling the tea to flow smoothly and broadly across the tongue. This thoughtful design helps enhance the delicate flavors and aromas of matcha, allowing one to fully appreciate its subtle sweetness and fragrance.
The piece demonstrates skilled craftsmanship with well-balanced proportions and an graceful form. The interior reveals a smooth, lustrous black glaze that provides a serene backdrop for whisking matcha, while the foot ring shows the natural clay body, adding an artisanal warmth to the piece.
This bowl was previously cherished by a tea ceremony master of the Enshu School (Enshu-ryu), one of Japan's most respected tea ceremony traditions, which suggests its quality and suitability for the tea ceremony. The understated yet striking design makes it appealing both for tea practice and as a distinguished piece in a collection of Japanese ceramics.
The natural kiln effects created during firing give each viewing angle its own character, with the glaze patterns flowing in unique ways—a quality often appreciated in Japanese pottery. This bowl invites quiet contemplation and offers a meaningful connection to the time-honored tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony.
【Size】
Height: 6.6 cm
Diameter: 12.8 cm
【Weight】
190 g
【Condition】
The bowl appears to be in good vintage condition with gentle wear consistent with tea ceremony use, which adds to its authentic character and charm.
【Artist Profile】
Artist unknown. This piece appears to be the work of a skilled craftsman working in the traditional style of Japanese tea ceremony pottery.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
Shipping & Important Notice
[Shipping]
The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan with tracking via Japan Post, DHL, or FedEx, depending on the situation. It normally takes about 3 weeks for delivery.
[Customs and Duties] Import duties, taxes, and VAT are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility and vary by country.
[Important: Delivery Contact]
Sometimes Customs or the delivery company in your country will contact you via phone or email for clearance. Please ensure you can answer their call. If the parcel is returned due to a lack of contact, the buyer will be responsible for the additional return and reshipping costs (which can be double the original fee).
I appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Bid with confidence!
