Vintage Japanese Chawan (Matcha Tea Bowl), Heisei era (1990-2018) | SKU: 26J-0200-3

Vintage Japanese Chawan (Matcha Tea Bowl), Heisei era (1990-2018) | SKU: 26J-0200-3

A handcrafted stoneware chawan with richly crawling ash-style glaze, presented in its original signed wooden box -- a quiet expression of the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

A chawan is a traditional Japanese tea bowl used in the art of chado, the Japanese tea ceremony, to prepare and drink whisked powdered matcha. This vintage Japanese chawan is a fine example of the handcrafted ceramic tradition that places as much value on honest imperfection as on technical skill. The bowl is formed in the classic wide, open shape -- deep enough to comfortably work a chasen (bamboo whisk) and broad enough to warm both palms during a quiet moment of reflection. The exterior is covered in a heavily textured crawling glaze in muted gray-white tones, pooling and breaking over a sandy, iron-flecked stoneware body to reveal warm golden clay beneath. The unglazed foot ring is left bare, grounding the piece with an earthy naturalness consistent with mingei-influenced studio ceramics of the Heisei era. The kiln style -- with its volcanic, lace-like glaze surface and rustic sandy clay -- is reminiscent of regional Japanese traditions such as Hagi or Shigaraki ware, though the specific kiln is unconfirmed. The piece comes housed in its original fitted wooden presentation box bearing a brushed inscription reading "matcha wan" alongside a red artist seal, a hallmark of a purposefully made, gift-worthy work by a named studio potter.

In the modern home, this chawan is equally at home on a tea tray or a display shelf. Use it daily as a matcha bowl to bring a moment of Japanese ritual into your morning routine, or style it as a living room accent in a Japandi-inspired or wabi-sabi aesthetic setting -- its muted palette and organic texture pair beautifully with natural linen, raw wood, and stone. The signed wooden box adds instant collector appeal, making this an exceptional gift for Japanophiles, tea enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese ceramics. It also works as a small decorative vessel on a bathroom vanity, entryway shelf, or home office desk, offering texture and calm wherever it lands.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1990-2018 (Heisei)
• Material: Stoneware with heavily crawling ash-style gray-white glaze over sandy iron-flecked clay body; unglazed foot ring
• Use: Matcha chawan -- used in the Japanese tea ceremony (chado) to prepare and drink powdered green tea
• Modern Use: Daily matcha or latte bowl; wabi-sabi decor accent for living room or entryway shelf; unique gift for tea enthusiasts or collectors of Japanese ceramics
• Features: Wide open-form bowl with gently flared rim; dramatically textured crawling glaze with pooling and breaking surface detail; warm exposed sandy clay foot ring; signed artist presentation box with brushed inscription and red seal included
• Dimensions: 5"Diameter x 3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully imperfect piece of vintage Japanese ceramic art -- equally at home in an active tea practice or as a wabi-sabi accent in any modern living space.

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.