Vintage Japanese Hagi ware chawan (tea bowl), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0803-5

Vintage Japanese Hagi ware chawan (tea bowl), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0803-5

A quietly commanding Hagi ware chawan with a milky crackled glaze and richly textured foot -- presented in its inscribed wood storage box.

A chawan is a Japanese tea bowl used in the practice of chado, the way of tea, to prepare and drink matcha. Hagi ware -- produced in Yamaguchi Prefecture since the early Edo period -- is prized among tea practitioners for its soft, porous stoneware body and luminous off-white glaze that slowly absorbs tea over years of use, deepening in color and character through a process called yo-hen, or kiln transformation. This example displays all the hallmarks of the tradition: a wide, gently flared conical form well suited to whisking matcha, a milky feldspar-rich glaze with fine crazing across the surface, subtle hand-thrown ribbing on the exterior walls, and an expressive unglazed foot revealing the warm iron-brown clay body beneath. The heavily textured high foot -- with its characteristic notched cuts and visible kiln marks -- is one of the most distinctive features of Hagi-style throwing, valued as both a functional grip and a mark of the maker's hand. The bowl is accompanied by an inscribed wood box bearing calligraphy and an artist seal consistent with a Hagi ware attribution, suggesting the piece was made and boxed by a named studio potter working during the Late Showa period. This is a fine example of vintage Japanese ceramic craft for collectors of Japanese vintage pottery and chado wares.

Beyond the tearoom, this chawan translates beautifully into everyday modern living. Its generous open form and understated wabi-sabi aesthetic make it an ideal living room accent -- displayed on a shelf or side table as a sculptural object alongside other natural materials. It works equally well as a small catch-all bowl on an entryway console or home office desk, holding rings, stones, or small objects with quiet elegance. For those who practice matcha at home, it remains entirely functional as a daily-use bowl, bringing a sense of ritual and calm to a morning routine. It would make a distinctive and thoughtful gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone drawn to Japandi-style decor and handcrafted ceramics.

• Origin: Japan, likely Yamaguchi Prefecture (Hagi ware tradition)
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Stoneware ceramic; milky off-white feldspar-rich glaze with fine crazing; iron-brown clay body exposed at foot
• Use: Chawan -- tea bowl for preparing and drinking matcha in the Japanese tea ceremony
• Modern Use: Matcha bowl for home tea practice; decorative display piece in a living room or entryway; wabi-sabi accent on a shelf or desk
• Features: Wide flared conical form; milky crackled glaze with subtle tonal variation; hand-thrown vertical ribbing on exterior; heavily textured high foot with notched cuts and visible kiln marks; warm iron-brown clay exposed at base; presented with inscribed wood box bearing calligraphy and artist seal
• Dimensions: 5 1/2" Diameter x 2 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A genuine piece of vintage Japanese ceramic craft -- a Hagi chawan that carries the warmth of the kiln, the hand of the maker, and centuries of tea culture 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.