Vintage Japanese Chawan (Matcha Tea Bowl), Heisei era (1990-2018) | SKU: 26J-0200-2

Vintage Japanese Chawan (Matcha Tea Bowl), Heisei era (1990-2018) | SKU: 26J-0200-2

A hand-thrown studio chawan with a grey-green glaze and bold iron-brown brushwork -- presented in its original tomobako wooden storage box.

A chawan is the essential ceramic bowl used in the Japanese tea ceremony (chado) for preparing and drinking whisked matcha. This example is a handcrafted Japanese studio piece in the mingei folk-craft tradition -- shaped on a wheel, leaving subtle horizontal ridges across the body that speak to the potter's direct hand. The exterior is dressed in a muted grey-green glaze with a fine speckled surface, while bold sweeping strokes of iron-brown glaze cascade freely across one side and pool into the interior rim -- a spontaneous, painterly gesture that gives each viewing angle its own character. The unglazed sandy foot ring, trimmed cleanly by hand, grounds the piece with quiet honesty. The bowl comes with its original tomobako -- a fitted wooden box with brush-written inscription and a red artist seal pressed into the lid -- a mark of provenance that elevates this from everyday ceramics to a collectible work of Japanese vintage craft.

In a modern home, this chawan is equally at home in use as it is on display. Brew and whisk your morning matcha in it as intended, or set it on a living room shelf or entryway console as a wabi-sabi aesthetic accent alongside other natural objects. Its generous, open form also works beautifully as a small catch-all for rings and trinkets on a bedroom dresser or bathroom organizer tray. A truly unique gift for tea lovers, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese ceramics -- the tomobako box makes it feel complete and gift-ready from the moment it arrives.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1990-2018 (Heisei)
• Material: Stoneware clay with grey-green glaze and iron-brown brushwork glaze; unglazed sandy foot ring; fitted tomobako wooden storage box with brush-written inscription and artist seal
• Use: Matcha tea ceremony bowl (chawan) for preparing and drinking whisked matcha
• Modern Use: Functional matcha bowl for daily use; decorative wabi-sabi accent on a shelf or entryway console; small trinket or jewelry holder on a bedroom dresser
• Features: Hand-thrown wheel form with visible throwing ridges; muted grey-green glaze with fine speckle; bold sweeping iron-brown glaze decoration on exterior and interior rim; unglazed trimmed foot ring; original tomobako box with brush-written inscription and red artist seal
• Dimensions: 5 1/2"Diameter x 3 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully expressive piece of handcrafted Japanese ceramics -- functional, collectible, and rich with the quiet spirit of the tea tradition.

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.