(Please note: It takes approximately 2 to 5 business days from the time you order this item until the date it is shipped from Japan. In extremely rare cases, it may take up to 20 business days. If you order this item with other items, they will be shipped together.)

diameter: 4.52inch (11.5cm) height: 2.76inch (7cm) weight: 11.99oz (340g)

Made by Shouraku Sasaki at Shouraku Kiln.
Shouraku Kiln, opened in 1903, is one of the most traditional Raku-yaki kilns in Kyoto. Shouraku Sasaki is the third generation of family artisans at the kiln.

This SHICHIRI Matcha bowl is created after the original by Kohetsu Honami (1558 - 1637), one of the three great ancestors of Raku-yaki. He was a typical man of culture of his period, developing various cultural activities. Kohetsu started making Raku-yaki assisted by Johkei and Nonkoh, who are part of the Raku family. His works are known for their spontaneity, without constraint. (For more information, pleae click here.)

The art of Kohetsu Honami, characterized by free thinking and uniqueness of form, has mesmerized audiences in Japan and around the world for hundreds of years, throughout the history of Raku-yaki. High quality duplication traditionally has been admired for established Japanese ceramics since creating high quality duplication requires extremely skilled and broad-based techniques in all aspects of creation, and compels the artisan to meticulously recreate an atmosphere which often was created on accident by the original artisan. Third-generation artisan Shouraku Sasaki of one of the most traditional Raku-yaki kilns in Kyoto is the ideal individual to re-awaken this treasured creation into the present day.

The sides of this piece are deliberately and boldly whittled away. It evokes a very powerful impression, as though we are gazing upon a great rocky cliff. The foot of this bowl is intentionally finished low and the scene from the bottom to the middle of the side is sublime and tension-filled. If you look closely, you will see marks like scratches near the rim. These appear on the original piece and it is believed that Kohetsu Honami used this technique to enhance the impressive and dynamic character of his work.

Black glaze is thickly poured except for some parts, four places at the rim and parts of the side and bottom. On these portions, it appears as though the glaze has been whittled away. The surface not covered by black glaze looks coarse and rough like ancient sandstone, a very unique and pleasing texture.

The black glaze of Raku-yaki is made from the rare and precious KAMOGAWA stone, found only in the KAMOGAWA River, which flows through the city of Kyoto. Of course, the glaze of this ceramic bowl is also made from KAMOGAWA stone.

You can see the small dots like pinholes on the surface of the black glaze. The dots are from the bubbling of the glaze, which occurs when it is fired at a high temperature. These are evidence that this piece was created by traditional Raku-yaki methods.

Raku-yaki has a water-absorbing property. If used regularly over a long period of time, the aesthetic of the surface gradually changes. It is also a feature of using Raku-yaki that the atmosphere becomes more WABI SABI. Shouraku Sasaki believes that his works are not complete until Matcha is poured in during use. Please enjoy your green moment with this Matcha bowl, which is infused with traditional dignity and modern creativity.

Once you touch this SHICHIRI bowl, you will feel the rich history of Raku-yaki and be fascinated by the unique and avant-garde Kohetsu Honami’s view of the world.

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