Ohi Ware Matcha Bowl, 琥珀釉, Ohi Choami 大樋長阿弥, Tomobako - 日本 - 20世纪

Highlights

Ohi ware chawan attributed to the Choami kiln (Ohi Choami), Kanazawa

Rich amber-brown glaze (ame-yu), the defining feature of Ohi ware

Hand-shaped construction in the Raku-derived Ohi tradition, with a softly irregular rim

Impressed kiln seal on the glazed foot, matching the seal on the tomobako lid

Comes with the original signed tomobako storage box and tomogire cloth

Warm, tactile form suited to daily tea practice or display

Bowl in excellent condition; tomobako shows light wear consistent with age


Product Details

This is a magnificent piece that beautifully showcases the distinctive characteristics of Ohi ware.
wrapped from rim to foot in a deep, glossy amber-brown glaze — ame-yu, Ohi's signature "candy glaze" — that shifts beautifully from warm reddish amber to rich, chocolate-dark tones as the light moves across its surface. Its confidently irregular, hand-built form sets aside wheel-thrown symmetry for the soft, individual curves that define fine Ohi tea bowls, giving it genuine warmth and presence in the hand. An impressed kiln seal on the underside anchors its origin, and the piece is further strengthened by its original signed tomobako storage box and tomogire cloth — a complete, well-documented presentation. This is a bowl equally suited to confident daily use at the tea table and to standing as a striking centerpiece in a collection of Japanese ceramics.

Origin & Attribution

Ohi ware traces its origin to 1666, when the first Ohi Chozaemon accompanied the tea master Sen Sōshitsu of the Urasenke school to Kanazawa's Kaga domain. Chozaemon had trained under Ichinyu, the fourth-generation head of Kyoto's Raku family — a lineage descending from Chōjirō, the founder of Raku ware — and, working with local clay near the village of Ohi, adapted these Raku techniques and aesthetics into what became known as Ohi ware. While rooted in the Raku tradition, Ohi ware developed its own identity in Kanazawa: hand-shaped construction and close ties to the tea ceremony remained central, and its warm amber glaze became the tradition's most recognizable feature. The Choami kiln works within this broader Ohi tradition, separately from the main Ohi Chozaemon head family line.

Condition & Specifications

Condition: Excellent for age. No chips, cracks, or restoration. While this is a vintage piece, it shows no visible signs of use and retains its original appearance in outstanding condition. The tomobako storage box shows light surface soiling and wear consistent with its age, with no effect on the bowl itself; the glaze variation and surface texture visible in the photographs are original firing characteristics, not damage.

Height: approx. 8 cm
Diameter: approx. 11.5 cm
Weight: 298 g (bowl only); 533 g including tomobako box
Shape: Wan-nari (rounded bowl form)
Material: Ceramic
Foot (kodai): Small ring foot, glazed, with impressed kiln seal
Accessories: Original tomobako (signed and sealed lid) and tomogire cloth

Shipping Information:
Items are shipped from Japan with tracking and insurance included. The carrier and shipping method are selected according to the destination and current international shipping conditions to ensure safe and reliable delivery. Each item is carefully packed with protective materials suitable for international transit.

Delivery Lead Time:
Delivery normally takes one to two weeks, though this can vary by destination and customs procedures.

Duties and Taxes:
Import taxes, VAT, customs duties, and handling charges vary by destination. Any charges not collected by Catawiki at checkout are the responsibility of the buyer, unless the lot description specifically states that duties are included. Customs procedures and applicable charges are determined by the destination country's authorities and may change over time. Thank you for your understanding.

Damage / Loss:
In the unlikely event that your item is damaged or lost during shipping, please retain all packaging materials and contact us immediately with photos of the product and box to file an insurance claim.

Returns:
As all items are unique antiques or artworks, we do not accept returns unless the item received significantly differs from the description. In such cases, please contact us within 3 days of receipt.

About Our Shop:
Based in Tobe Town, Ehime Prefecture — the 250-year-old birthplace of Tobe ware — our shop was founded with a singular purpose: to bring the profound art of Japanese ceramics to collectors around the world. From masterpieces crafted by renowned artisans to one-of-a-kind expressions created in hidden workshops, we sell carefully selected pieces that emphasize the quality and dignity of the work itself, rather than fame. Our name, HOJO (丰穰), means "abundant harvest" — a reflection of the belief that every piece we offer carries the richness of the hands and traditions that shaped it. From Tobe Town, a historic folk art town, we bring the true beauty of Japanese ceramics and its handed-down spirit straight to your home.