Vintage Japanese Tea Ceremony Utensils, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-850 (26M-850-4)

Japanese Chawan Tea Bowl | Vintage Matcha Bowl & Decorative Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-850-4

A richly glazed stoneware chawan with a dramatic mottled tenmoku-style finish -- a handsome piece of vintage Japanese tea ceremony ware.

A chawan is a traditional Japanese tea bowl used in the practice of chado, the Way of Tea. This compact, hand-potted bowl displays a striking tortoiseshell-like glaze in deep amber, russet, and dark olive tones -- a style closely related to the tenmoku glaze tradition, which has been prized in Japanese ceramic culture for centuries. The irregular, flowing glaze pattern is achieved through high-temperature firing, causing the iron-rich slip to shift and pool across the surface in an entirely unique way. No two bowls finished in this manner are ever identical, making each piece a small work of craft in its own right. The unglazed foot ring, visible in the base shots, reveals a warm terracotta clay body consistent with quality stoneware production of the Late Showa period.

Beyond its origins in the tea room, this chawan adapts beautifully to modern living. Its deep, rounded form makes it an ideal small serving bowl for a minimalist dining table -- perfect for nuts, condiments, or a single-portion dessert. Set on a shelf or windowsill, it functions as a striking living room accent that embodies the wabi-sabi aesthetic: finding beauty in the natural, the imperfect, and the unpretentious. It also makes a thoughtful and unique gift for Japanophiles, tea enthusiasts, or anyone drawn to handcrafted Japanese ceramics and Japandi-style interiors.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Stoneware with iron-rich tenmoku-style mottled glaze; terracotta clay body
• Use: Tea ceremony bowl (chawan) for preparing and drinking matcha
• Modern Use: Matcha or small beverage bowl; decorative living room or shelf accent; unique gift for tea lovers and collectors of Japanese antique ceramics
• Features: Dramatic amber and russet mottled glaze with tortoiseshell patterning; high-gloss interior; unglazed foot ring revealing warm terracotta clay body; rounded form comfortable to hold with both hands in the traditional manner
• Dimensions: 4 1/2" Diameter x 2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully individual piece of vintage Japanese tea ceremony ware -- its rich tenmoku-style glaze brings depth, warmth, and wabi-sabi character to any modern home or tabletop.

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 and antique 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.