Vintage Japanese Chawan (Tea Bowl), Early Showa (1927-1945) | SKU: 26J-0744

Vintage Japanese Chawan (Tea Bowl), Early Showa (1927-1945) | SKU: 26J-0744

A boldly glazed stoneware chawan with a fiery iron-red finish and deeply expressive hand-formed character -- offered with its original wooden storage box.

A chawan is a traditional Japanese tea bowl used in the preparation and drinking of matcha during the tea ceremony, known as chado. This striking example showcases the mingei-influenced studio ceramic tradition of the early Showa period, when potters across Japan embraced natural, unpretentious forms in deliberate contrast to the refined precision of earlier ware. Hand-formed from stoneware clay, the bowl displays a deeply flared silhouette with a gently irregular, wavy rim -- each undulation a mark of the maker's hand. The exterior is covered in a richly textured iron-rich glaze that shifts from vivid orange-red to deep mahogany brown, pooling into a near-black concentration at the interior base. Vertical streaking in the glaze surface lends the piece a sense of movement and warmth that echoes the wabi-sabi aesthetic prized in Japanese vintage ceramics. The unglazed foot ring reveals a sandy, pale stoneware body, and a single dramatic drip of glaze trails down to the base -- a hallmark of expressive, kiln-fired character.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese chawan is as versatile as it is beautiful. Use it functionally as a matcha bowl or everyday drinking vessel for a mindful morning ritual -- a unique gift for Japanophiles or tea ceremony enthusiasts. Displayed upright or inverted to show off the foot ring, it makes a compelling living room accent or shelf object in a Japandi style or wabi-sabi-inspired interior. It also serves beautifully as a small bowl for salt, jewelry, or trinkets on a nightstand or bathroom shelf, bringing warmth and handcrafted authenticity to any corner of the home. The accompanying wooden storage box adds provenance and makes presentation effortless.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Stoneware with iron-rich red-amber glaze; unglazed sandy foot ring
• Use: Chawan -- Japanese tea bowl for matcha preparation and drinking
• Modern Use: Matcha or everyday drinking bowl; decorative wabi-sabi accent for shelf or living room display; small catchall dish for jewelry or salt on a nightstand or bathroom shelf
• Features: Hand-formed flared bowl with irregular wavy rim; richly textured glaze shifting from vivid orange-red to deep mahogany with vertical streaking; pooled dark glaze at interior base; single glaze drip at foot; unglazed sandy foot ring; includes original wooden storage box with textile tie closure
• Dimensions: 4 3/4"W x 4 3/4"D x 3 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and expressive piece of Japanese vintage ceramics -- this early Showa chawan carries the warmth, imperfection, and quiet beauty that define the wabi-sabi aesthetic at its finest.

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.