Vintage Japanese Chawan Matcha Tea Bowl, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-851 (26M-851-6)

Japanese Chawan Matcha Bowl | Wabi-Sabi Tea Ceremony Bowl & Decorative Display, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-851-6

A deeply expressive kuro-chawan in the Raku tradition -- handcrafted stoneware with a rich black glaze and wabi-sabi soul.

A chawan is the central vessel of the Japanese tea ceremony, or chado -- the "way of tea" -- and this boldly hand-formed example embodies the aesthetic ideals that have guided Japanese antique pottery for centuries. Wheel-thrown from a coarse, light-firing stoneware clay, the bowl displays a deliberately irregular rim and subtly squared silhouette that speaks to the hand of a skilled potter working firmly within the wabi-sabi tradition. The exterior is coated in a deep, glossy kuro (black) glaze that breaks to warm amber and sandy buff tones toward the lower body, where the glaze deliberately thins and recedes -- a controlled effect long associated with the Raku and Seto kilning traditions of Japanese craft pottery. The unglazed foot ring (kodai) is cleanly trimmed and reveals a sandy, off-white stoneware body with the characteristic spiral tool marks visible on the base, confirming careful hand-finishing. The interior carries a full, even black glaze with a quietly pooling depth that draws the eye inward -- exactly the meditative quality valued in handcrafted Japanese teaware.

This vintage chawan is a wonderful piece for both practicing tea enthusiasts and collectors drawn to wabi-sabi aesthetics and Japandi style decor. For everyday modern use, it works beautifully as a matcha bowl for daily home brewing -- its generous opening and sturdy walls are well suited to whisking with a chasen (bamboo whisk). Displayed on a tokonoma shelf, a living room accent shelf, or a minimalist desk, it reads as a quiet sculpture in its own right. It also makes a thoughtful and unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone with an appreciation for handcrafted Japanese ceramics and the philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Hand-thrown stoneware with deep kuro (black) glaze; unglazed sandy stoneware foot ring
• Use: Chawan -- matcha bowl for the Japanese tea ceremony (chado)
• Modern Use: Daily matcha or tea bowl; living room or shelf display accent; unique gift for tea ceremony enthusiasts or collectors of Japanese antique pottery
• Features: Deliberately irregular hand-formed rim; boldly textured kuro glaze breaking to warm amber tones toward the base; exposed stoneware lower body with drip-glaze detailing; hand-trimmed kodai (foot ring) with spiral tool marks on the base; fully glazed interior with deep, even black pool; wabi-sabi aesthetic consistent with Raku-influenced studio pottery
• Dimensions: 4 1/2" Diameter x 3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A quietly powerful piece of handcrafted Japanese antique pottery -- the kind of object that rewards slow looking and brings authentic wabi-sabi warmth to any modern interior.

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.