Vintage Japanese Tenmoku Chawan, Hai-Sunayu Glaze, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0326-2

Vintage Japanese Tenmoku Chawan, Hai-Sunayu Glaze, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0326-2

A boldly glazed hai-sunayu tenmoku chawan -- ash-sand glaze stoneware with dramatic iron-red splash -- presented in its original inscribed wooden storage box.

A chawan is a Japanese tea bowl used in the traditional tea ceremony (chado) to prepare and drink matcha. The tenmoku style -- characterized by deep, dark glazes with rich surface variation -- has been prized by tea masters since the medieval period. This example is finished in hai-sunayu (ash-sand glaze), which produces the distinctive muted olive-green ground seen across the exterior and interior walls. Against that earthy base, bold iron-red splash patches pool and streak across the surface in a pattern that is entirely unrepeatable -- a hallmark of the wabi-sabi aesthetic that defines the finest Japanese vintage ceramics. The conical bowl rises from a compact unglazed ring foot that reveals the warm reddish-brown clay body beneath, grounding the piece with a rustic honesty typical of mid-to-late Showa studio ceramics. The wooden storage box (hakogaki) is brush-inscribed with the names of both the piece and its glaze type, adding provenance and display value.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese tea bowl makes a striking living room accent displayed on a shelf or tokonoma-style alcove alongside other ceramic or natural objects. Its compact size and dramatic coloring suit a minimalist or Japandi-style interior equally well as a desk object or sculptural centerpiece on a dining table. Filled with a few polished stones or a single sprig of greenery, it functions beautifully as a small ikebana vessel or catch-all dish -- and makes a truly unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Stoneware with hai-sunayu (ash-sand) glaze; dark olive-green ground with iron-red splash; unglazed reddish-brown clay foot ring
• Use: Matcha tea ceremony bowl (chawan); tenmoku style for chado (the way of tea)
• Modern Use: Decorative display object in a Japandi or wabi-sabi interior; small vessel for polished stones or a single botanical stem; unique gift for tea ceremony enthusiasts or ceramic collectors
• Features: Deep conical form with gently flared rim; bold iron-red glaze splash patches on exterior and interior -- each uniquely formed in the firing; streaked olive-green hai-sunayu glaze overall; compact unglazed ring foot with warm clay body visible; includes original brush-inscribed wooden storage box (hakogaki) reading "Tenmoku Chawan" and glaze designation
• Dimensions: 4 3/4"Diameter x 3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and expressive piece of vintage Japanese ceramic art -- this tenmoku chawan brings the meditative depth of the tea ceremony into any modern 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.