Vintage Japanese Chawan (Matcha Tea Bowl), Heisei 1990-2018 | SKU: 26J-0200-4

Vintage Japanese Chawan (Matcha Tea Bowl), Heisei 1990-2018 | SKU: 26J-0200-4

A hand-formed studio chawan in ash-gray glaze with bold iron-red slip brushwork -- offered with its original signed tomobako presentation box.

A chawan is the central vessel of the Japanese tea ceremony, cradled in both hands while drinking whisked matcha. This studio piece exemplifies the wabi-sabi aesthetic that has guided chawan design for centuries -- the form is deliberately irregular, the rim softly undulating, and the clay body allowed to breathe through an unglazed sandy foot ring. The exterior is covered in a thick, milky ash-gray glaze speckled with iron pinholes, punctuated by sweeping cross-hatch brushwork in iron-red slip that cuts through the surface with expressive energy. Where the glaze thins at the lip and near the foot, warm red-brown clay shows through, creating the kind of natural color tension prized in Japanese studio ceramics. The bold gestural decoration recalls traditions associated with Mino-ware kilns, though the piece is best appreciated as a work of contemporary handcrafted Japanese ceramics in its own right.

Beyond its use in chado (the way of tea), this chawan is a striking living room accent or home office display piece -- its sculptural silhouette and layered earth tones complement Japandi style interiors, minimalist decor, and wabi-sabi-inspired spaces equally well. Displayed on a small wooden stand, it becomes an instant focal point on a shelf or sideboard. It also serves beautifully as a small condiment bowl, a catch-all for rings and small jewelry, or a bud vase for a single stem. Presented in its original tomobako wooden box bearing brushed calligraphy and red artist seals, it arrives gift-ready and makes a thoughtful, unique gift for Japanophiles, tea ceremony practitioners, or ceramics collectors.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1990-2018 (Heisei)
• Material: Stoneware with ash-gray feldspathic glaze and iron-red slip decoration; unglazed sandy foot ring
• Use: Matcha tea bowl for Japanese tea ceremony (chado)
• Modern Use: Wabi-sabi shelf or sideboard display; small jewelry or keepsake dish; bud vase or living room accent
• Features: Hand-formed irregular rim with organic undulation; bold cross-hatch iron-red slip brushwork through ash-gray glaze; iron pinhole speckle across glaze surface; warm clay showing at lip and foot; unglazed circular foot ring; comes with signed tomobako wooden presentation box with brushed calligraphy and red artist seals
• Dimensions: 5"Diameter x 3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully expressive piece of handcrafted Japanese studio ceramics -- where ancient tea ceremony tradition meets bold, gestural artistry for the 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.