HIGAKIMON HIIRO CHAWAN (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)

diameter: 5.11 inch (13cm) height: 2.95 inch (7.5cm), standard Matcha bowl size
Traditional Shigaraki-Yaki (Shigaraki pottery)
Made by Eizan Okuda
Measurements are approximate because each item is formed by hand.

HIGAKIMON HIIRO CHAWAN is made in the motif of traditional Japanese patterns. This Matcha bowl is fired in an ANAGAMA kiln, where the techniques of the masters are applied in abundance. Considering the ingenuity and skill of the artisan Eizan Okuda, this fine and thought-provoking Matcha bowl is more attractive and valuable than its price.

HIGAKI means fence made of woven cypress and MON means crest in Japanese. HIGAKI is a type of fence, a weave of cypress often used to divide a ROJI garden in a CHASITSU tearoom designed for the Japanese tea ceremony. HIGAKIMON is a common pattern found on the shoulders of ancient pots. Seeds and grains were stored for long periods in ancient pots, which were said to accumulate evil spirits. HIGAKIMON was valued as a pattern with the effect of purifying these evil spirits. Mr. Eizan painted HIGAKIMON with a white glaze specially formulated for this Matcha bowl. The horizontal line inside the Matcha bowl represents the top of the HIGAKI fence.

The form is NINSEI GATA, a type of Kyo-Yaki, and is considered the best for whisking Matcha. The design of the rim is not perfectly flat and is intentionally made heterogeneous. This affects the appearance of the Matcha bowl and makes it feel more gentle to the touch. When you drink Matcha from this bowl, you’ll find that this rim feels quite soft on your lips.

The sides of the Matcha bowl have horizontal finger marks made by the artisan while the bowl was being created on the pottery wheel. Apart from that, the wave pattern is intentionally drawn horizontally and discreetly. This is one of the inconspicuous but very craftsmanship-oriented parts. Furthermore, this Matcha bowl is much lighter than it looks, which is rare for Shigaraki-Yaki.

This Matcha bowl was fired in an ANAGAMA kiln using red pine firewood, which burned continuously for 72 to 84 hours. You can fully enjoy the natural glaze aspect that can only be created by this firing. Natural ash glaze can be seen on the inside, outside and on the side of the KOHDAI base. They represent the flow of ash in the kiln.

The gradations of gray, glowing brown, gold, and BEEDORO's emerald colors will delight your eyes. Gradations of red, reddish brown, or dark brown are also called HIIRO scarlet. Mr. Eizan says he hopes people will enjoy the flow of flame in the kiln as it appears in this HIIRO scarlet color.

A pattern called MEATO appears on the back of the KOHDAI base in five places. These patterns were created by placing the work on fireproof stones during firing in the kiln. In addition, the change of HIIRO scarlet color inside the KOHDAI base keeps the viewer interested.

With its natural glaze created by firing in the ANAGAMA kiln, the dynamic HIIRO scarlet color, and careful work by Mr. Eizan, this attractive Matcha bowl is surprisingly reasonable in price, considering its quality.

There are two types of Matcha bowls. Those that will captivate you the moment you see them, and those that will gradually draw you into their charms as you take the time to observe their details. For you, this Matcha bowl may be the latter. In fact, there are not many Matcha bowls that make you want to keep them close at hand and pay attention to their details repeatedly. However, this Matcha bowl is just that. HIGAKIMON HIIRO CHAWAN is an exceptional Matcha bowl that we proudly recommend.

Specially packaged in a carton box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan.
(Please note that each piece is unique due to the techniques employed by the craftsman. There are natural variations in each piece.)