SUMIJI RYOKUKIN (Wooden Lacquered Matcha Bowl)

diameter: 4.13inches (10.5cm) height: 2.75inches (7.0cm), standard Matcha bowl size
Yamanaka Nuri (Yamanaka Lacquerware)
Made by Soryo Tanaka

This exquisite Matcha bowl is crafted using SUMIJI, a rare lacquering technique where a solid natural wooden base is shaped and finished with a blend of natural URUSHI lacquer and powdered charcoal. Uniting functional durability with timeless Japanese aesthetics, the vessel offers a unique fusion of traditional woodworking, specialized lacquer artistry, and modern elegance.

The bowl features an ISHIME NURI coating on SUMIJI, where charcoal powder is scattered over the lacquer and repeatedly sealed with additional layers. It is a traditional decorative technique that creates fine unevenness on the surface, achieving a rough texture reminiscent of natural stone. This process also creates an exceptionally hard, scratch-resistant surface that offers low thermal conductivity, keeping hot tea warm while remaining comfortable to hold. The main body is made of aged zelkova wood. While the material and design give the work a solid, substantial appearance, this piece feels surprisingly warm and cozy due to layers of craftsmanship and how it feels in your palms.
This bowl is slightly small and reminds us of Rikyu GONOMI, the ultimate form of Matcha bowl pursued by the founder of the CHANOYU tea ceremony, Sen no Rikyu, over his lifetime.

The body of the Matcha bowl, with its rounded waist and exquisite neckline, is wonderfully comfortable in the hand, and the slightly inward-sloped mouth makes drinking Matcha a smooth experience. The simple appearance, without ostentation, shows the spirit of ZEN.

Featherlight, resilient, and virtually immune to cracking from minor impacts, this tea bowl stands as a true masterwork that Soryo Tanaka invites us to appreciate. He beautifully employs a traditional technique for modern aesthetics. Whether used in a formal tea gathering or displayed as a cherished collector's piece, it serves as an enduring bridge between centuries of traditional lacquer technique and modern tea ceremony culture.

Imbued with the artisan’s dedication, this bowl brings a serene warmth to your daily green tea moment. It embodies something rare in today’s fast-paced world: authentic craft guided by nature and refined by mastery, resulting in a piece that can never be duplicated.

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