Vintage Japanese Kuro Glazed Stoneware Chawan, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0326-1

Vintage Japanese Kuro Glazed Stoneware Chawan, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0326-1

A kuro-glaze stoneware chawan with luminous black depth and fine speckled interior -- offered with its original wood storage box.

A chawan is a Japanese tea bowl used in the chado tradition to whisk and drink powdered matcha during the tea ceremony. This vintage Japanese stoneware example displays a commanding kuro (black) glaze applied in overlapping horizontal bands, creating subtle tonal variation across the exterior -- a hallmark of hand-applied glaze work rather than machine dipping. The interior reveals fine pinhole speckling and a pooled, glassy finish that catches light beautifully against the deep black ground. The wide, flat foot ring is left entirely unglazed, exposing the pale stoneware clay body beneath -- a deliberate aesthetic choice rooted in the wabi-sabi philosophy of finding beauty in natural, unadorned surfaces. The cylindrical form with a gently flared rim sits comfortably in the hands and provides the wide, open interior needed for whisking matcha with a chasen. The piece is accompanied by a plain kiri wood storage box secured with a textile cord, consistent with traditional Japanese tea ware presentation.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese chawan makes a striking living room accent or meditation-space object -- displayed on a low shelf or tray alongside other wabi-sabi ceramics. Its compact, sculptural form works equally well as a Japandi-style desk organizer for small items such as rings, paperclips, or hair pins, or as a catch-all vessel on a bedroom nightstand or entryway shelf. The inclusion of the wood box makes this a particularly thoughtful and ready-to-gift package -- an ideal unique gift for tea lovers, Japanophiles, or collectors of vintage Japanese craft and studio ceramics.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Stoneware with kuro (black) iron-rich glaze; unglazed pale stoneware foot ring; kiri wood storage box with textile cord
• Use: Chawan -- Japanese matcha tea bowl used in the tea ceremony for whisking and drinking powdered green tea
• Modern Use: Wabi-sabi decorative accent for living room or meditation space; desktop or nightstand organizer for small items; gift-ready display piece for tea and ceramics collectors
• Features: Deep glossy kuro glaze with layered horizontal banding variation on exterior; fine pinhole speckle pattern on interior; wide flat unglazed foot ring revealing natural pale clay body; slightly flared rim; hand-applied glaze character throughout; includes plain wood storage box with woven textile cord
• Dimensions: 4 1/4"Diameter x 3 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A quietly powerful piece of vintage Japanese ceramic craft -- this kuro chawan brings the stillness and depth of the tea ceremony into any modern interior.

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.