Vintage Japanese Chawan Match Tea Bowl / Kensui, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-851-4

Japanese Chawan Tea Bowl / Kensui | Vintage Matcha Bowl & Decorative Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-851-4

A boldly textured stoneware chawan with a dramatic crackled exterior and deep red interior glaze -- a striking example of handcrafted Japanese pottery from the Late Showa period.

A chawan is a traditional Japanese tea bowl used in the practice of chado, the Way of Tea. At its heart, the chawan is both a functional vessel and a work of art -- chosen by the host to set the tone of a tea gathering and held with both hands by the guest as a gesture of respect. This piece exemplifies the wabi-sabi aesthetic that defines the finest Japanese antique pottery: an intentionally rustic, squat form with a wide open mouth, a heavily textured exterior finished in a pale ash-white crackle glaze that fractures into deep brown rivulets, and a richly glazed interior in warm iron red with dark mottling that shifts with the light. The contrast between the rough, bark-like outer surface and the glossy, luminous interior is deliberate -- a hallmark of skilled studio pottery from the Late Showa era, when individual craftspeople pushed traditional forms in expressive new directions while remaining rooted in centuries-old technique.

In a modern home, this vintage chawan is as versatile as it is beautiful. Use it as intended -- as a matcha bowl for your daily tea ritual -- and experience the meditative pleasure of holding a piece of living history. Its wide, open form also makes it a natural catchall for a bedside table or home office desk, corralling rings, hair ties, paper clips, or small trinkets with quiet elegance. As a living room or entryway accent, it pairs beautifully with other natural textures in a Japandi-style or wabi-sabi-inspired interior. A truly unique gift for Japanophiles, ceramics collectors, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted beauty in everyday life.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Stoneware pottery with crackle ash-white exterior glaze and iron-red interior glaze
• Use: Chawan -- tea bowl used in Japanese tea ceremony (chado) for preparing and drinking matcha
• Modern Use: Matcha bowl for daily tea ritual; decorative catchall for bedside table or home office desk; living room or entryway accent in a Japandi or wabi-sabi interior
• Features: Squat, wide-mouthed form; heavily textured exterior with dramatic crackled white glaze over dark brown ground resembling tree bark; glossy iron-red interior glaze with dark mottling; hand-thrown construction with visible throwing marks on the interior base
• Dimensions: 5 1/2" Diameter 3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A compelling piece of Japanese antique pottery that carries the soul of the tea ceremony into any modern home -- beautiful in use, beautiful on display.

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.