Vintage Japanese Chawan (Tea Bowl), Tanzangama 丹山窯 Kyoto, Ko-Imari Style Blue-and-White Porcelain with Tomobako | SKU: 26M-951

Vintage Japanese Chawan (Tea Bowl), Tanzangama 丹山窯 Kyoto, Ko-Imari Style Blue-and-White Porcelain with Tomobako | SKU: 26M-951

A signed vintage Japanese chawan in blue-and-white porcelain, accompanied by its original wooden tomobako and printed artist leaflet.

A chawan is a traditional Japanese tea bowl used in the practice of chado -- the way of tea -- and among the most cherished forms in Japanese ceramic culture. This example is a hand-painted porcelain bowl in a ko-Imari-inspired blue-and-white palette, with scrolling karakusa vines, floral motifs, and banded ornament around the exterior. Inside, a dotted border rings the upper wall, while a simple brush-painted motif centers the interior floor. The bowl stands on a neatly raised foot with an unglazed warm-toned base and an impressed seal mark.

The printed leaflet references 丹山, supporting the kiln attribution preserved with the piece. The overall presentation -- porcelain tea bowl and maker information sheet -- makes this an appealing example for collectors of modern Japanese studio ceramics as well as those drawn to ko-Imari revival styles.

This vintage chawan is as beautiful on a tea table as it is in a modern home. Use it as a functional matcha bowl for daily tea preparation, or display it as a living room accent on a shelf or tokonoma-inspired alcove. Its striking blue-and-white palette pairs naturally with Japandi style and wabi-sabi aesthetic interiors, lending a quiet, considered elegance to any setting. The inclusion of the hako (not tomobako) and artist leaflet also makes it a thoughtful gift for collectors or for anyone with a love of Japanese ceramics and handcrafted Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan; box and leaflet indicate Tanzangama 丹山窯, Kyoto
• Era: Heisei era (1989-2019), consistent with the included printed materials
• Material: Hand-painted blue-and-white porcelain with glazed body and interior; unglazed foot underside with impressed seal
• Use: Chawan -- Japanese tea bowl used for preparing and drinking matcha
• Modern Use: Matcha bowl for daily tea practice; display piece for a shelf or tea space; small serving bowl for sweets or side dishes
• Features: Ko-Imari style sometsuke decoration; karakusa vine and floral exterior motifs; dotted inner border; central interior brush motif; impressed seal to base; original printed leaflet included; box calligraphy includes 丹山窯 and 京都
• Dimensions: 4 3/4" Diameter x 3 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with light age-appropriate wear to the box and paper materials

A beautifully preserved piece of vintage Japanese ceramics -- a studio chawan with signed presentation that brings the quiet artistry of the tea tradition into any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.