Vintage Japanese Hagi-Style Stoneware Chawan, Mid Showa (1946-1965) | SKU: 26M-646-1

Vintage Japanese Hagi-Style Stoneware Chawan, Mid Showa (1946-1965) | SKU: 26M-646-1

A boldly fired Hagi-style stoneware chawan with ash glaze and raw clay base, presented in its original signed wooden box.

A chawan is a traditional Japanese tea bowl used in the practice of chado -- the way of tea. Prized above almost all other utensils in the Japanese tea ceremony, the chawan is selected by the host for its tactile presence in the hands and the depth of feeling it conveys. This handcrafted Japanese chawan displays all the hallmarks of the Hagi ceramic tradition: a coarse, iron-rich clay body ranging from russet to deep umber at the base, softening into a milky ash glaze that pools and drips organically across the upper body. The subtly irregular rim, gently faceted walls, and the broad, textured kodai (foot ring) left partially unglazed speak to a skilled potter who understood that restraint and spontaneity are equal virtues. The interior reveals a richly mottled surface where glaze has settled unevenly -- a quality prized under the wabi-sabi aesthetic as a mark of authentic, unhurried craft. The piece comes with its original signed wooden tomobako (storage box), bearing brush-written inscription and a red seal, confirming the work as an attributed piece.

In today's home, this vintage Japanese chawan makes a compelling living room accent or meditation corner focal point -- displayed on a small wooden stand, it brings the quiet warmth of Japandi style to any shelf or tokonoma-inspired nook. Tea enthusiasts will delight in using it as a functional matcha bowl for daily preparation, while collectors of Japanese vintage ceramics will appreciate the provenance provided by the signed tomobako. It also makes a deeply meaningful gift for Japanophiles or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese craft -- a piece with genuine history and artistic character far beyond ordinary tableware.

• Origin: Japan, possibly Hagi or Hagi-influenced kiln
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Coarse iron-rich stoneware clay with ash glaze; milky white glaze over russet-to-umber unglazed lower body and foot ring
• Use: Chawan (tea bowl) for Japanese tea ceremony (chado)
• Modern Use: Functional matcha bowl for daily use; decorative living room or meditation space accent; display piece for Japanese ceramics collectors
• Features: Organically irregular hand-formed rim; ash glaze with natural drip and pooling; partially unglazed coarse kodai foot ring; richly mottled interior; includes original signed wooden tomobako storage box with brush inscription and red seal
• Dimensions: 4 1/2" Diameter x 4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A quietly commanding piece of vintage Japanese ceramic craft -- this Hagi-style chawan, complete with its signed tomobako, brings the timeless wabi-sabi spirit of the Japanese tea ceremony 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.