MANKAI no SAKURA Matcha Bowl (handcrafted)

(Please note:Because this item is usually made-to-order, it may possibly take approximately 3 weeks from the time you order this item until the date it is shipped from Kyoto, Japan. Once ordered, any order change or cancellation cannot be accepted. If you order this item with other items, they will be shipped together.)

diameter: 4.72inch (12cm) height: 3.14inch (8cm), standard matcha bowl size
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Zenshoh Yamaoka at Zenshoh Kiln

SAKURA cherry blossoms are not only a well-loved symbol of spring but are also the national flower of Japan and one of the most important flowers for the Japanese people. We, Hibiki-an have collaborated with Zenshoh Yamaoka, who is the leading expert of paintings derived from masterpieces in the middle ages and acclaimed Kyo Yaki artisan, to offer you this MANKAI no SAKURA Matcha bowl.

Zenshoh Yamaoka painted SAKURA cherry blossoms in full bloom on this bowl. MANKAI means “in full bloom” in Japanese. This Matcha bowl was inspired by YAMAZAKURA NI GAN ZU in which there are a flock of wild geese and wild cherry blossoms in full bloom. It was painted by Houitsu Sakai (1761 - 1828), who was part of the third generation of RINPA that indurated RINPA in the Edo period. He is well known for his realistic description of birds, grasses and flowers, which he paints lively and elegantly.

Zenshoh Yamaoka carefully painted the petals of the cherry blossoms one by one. You can see that the petals are thick. This is because he applies layers of the paints several times and he repeats painting and firing until all petals become the same thickness and smoothness. It takes a lot of work and requires high skill because the paints are quite difficult to use. The numerous cherry blossoms make this bowl gorgeous and noble. Gold color is added as an accent.

You can see the cherry blossoms inside of the bowl, too. They are painted on the left inside of the bowl. This feature is a quintessential characteristic of traditional high-end Matcha bowls. When you receive Matcha at the tea ceremony, it is the tradition to turn the bowl twice clockwise and then to drink the tea. When you turn this bowl in this traditional way, the cherry blossoms which are painted inside the bowl come directly into your view and you can enjoy the beautiful flowers while you are drinking tea.

The patches of orange, known as GOHONDE, are created by a traditional glazing technique that creates colorful orange areas on the surface of the inside or outside. GOHONDE adds warmth to the atmosphere of the work. It is impossible to fully control the contrasting density of GOHONDE, so that GOHONDE is quite different in each work.

Japanese scenery of spring is well described elegantly on this Matcha bowl and it evokes the beauty of nature and magnificence of life itself. We are certain that this Matcha bowl will enrich the taste of green tea which grows with natural vitality.

Specially packaged in a wooden box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan.