SHIDOH YOHEN (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)

diameter: 4.52inch (11.5cm) height: 2.75inch (7cm), standard Matcha bowl size
Made by Shigaraki-yaki ceramic artist Koai Kawase

This Matcha bowl is a masterful expression of Japan’s ancient ceramic heritage, created using the revered technique of WARA HAIYU - a method rooted in nature, fire, and time itself. It is a piece crafted with a deep focus on creating beautiful colors and scenery using materials from the earth.

The glaze, formulated from the ash of burned rice straw, produces a softly luminous, milky matte surface of remarkable depth and quiet elegance. Unlike industrial ceramics, whose perfection is controlled and repeatable, this bowl embraces the unpredictable poetry of the kiln. Subtle variations in flame, atmosphere, and mineral interaction give rise to YOHEN - natural kiln transformations that ensure no two pieces can ever exist in the same way.

HAIYU in Japan dates to the 5th century, when natural ash from wood-fired kilns accidentally settled upon Sue ware, creating an unintended glass-like surface. Over centuries, this serendipitous occurrence evolved into a refined aesthetic pursuit. WARA HAIYU remains one of the most organic and technically demanding expressions of this tradition.
The artisan adds copper oxide to the glaze, which is the source of the purple-copper tone that gives SHIDOH its name. It produces a nuanced shadow that emerges through the glaze, adding rich depth to the color.

The KODAI base reveals the artist’s devotion to both heritage and playful innovation. During firing, clam shells are placed, causing the clay to blush orange. This spontaneous, flame-born coloration is never predictable, further affirming the bowl’s individuality.

Contrasting with its soft purple glow and matte texture, the bowl features a deliberately rough and asymmetrical form. Hand-sculpted without a potter’s wheel and trimmed at the base with a bamboo spatula, it preserves the authentic warmth of artisan craftsmanship, giving it a rustic, organic charm.

For the artisan, Koai Kawase, beauty and function are inseparable. While he invests immense skill into perfecting each bowl's aesthetic, his primary goal is ensuring it brings comfort to everyday use. Although the base features an intentionally rugged texture, it feels surprisingly soft in the hands. Every detail - down to its gentle, well-balanced weight - is thoughtfully designed so the bowl rests effortlessly in your palms, making the act of whisking Matcha a pure pleasure.

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.