WAKAMURASAKI (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)

diameter: 4.72inch (12cm) height: 3.15inch (8.0cm), standard matcha bowl size
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Zenshoh Yamaoka at Zenshoh Kiln

(Please note: Because this item is made-to-order, it takes 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 cancel can NOT be accepted. If you order this item with other items, they will be shipped together.)

The Tale of Genji is one of the oldest novels in the world. Written by noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu of the Japanese Imperial Court, this novel is composed of 54 stories and more than 800 WAKA Japanese poems.
The work recounts the life of Hikaru Genji, from his birth to death, and afterward. Through the book, Murasaki describes the life of aristocracy, romance in the Imperial Court, and political disputes. She expertly portrays the internal emotion and expression of each character of her novel.
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 release a series of Matcha bowls featuring the Tale of Genji. Zenshoh Yamaoka selected 12 stories out of 54, one suitable for each month of the year, arranged by season.

Zenshoh Yamaoka expresses luxury and elegance in the palace, the secrets of human nature in each scene, and WABI-SABI aesthetic during this time, by making full use of various techniques. For example, in order to portray the gorgeous scenes of the Imperial Court, he uses luxurious gold to paint clouds, Japanese traditional cloth KIMONO, auspicious ornaments and so forth. This effect characterizes the affluent lifestyle of the Japanese Imperial Court during this period and makes the Matcha bowl brilliant. Clouds are one of the key features of the bowl. Clouds are frequently used in Japanese traditional painting to separate and define space and time. The use of golden clouds makes this Matcha bowl bright and luxurious.

After Hikaru Genji became ill, he visited a monk for treatment in the northern part of Kyoto. It was springtime and the mountain cherry blossoms were in full bloom. He went for a walk to see the scenery, and found the temple living quarters. There was a very beautiful girl in the house, and Genji fell in love with her at first sight. Her name was Murasaki no Ue, and after the death of Genji's first wife, she became his second wife. She was agonized by his flirtatious tendencies, but dedicated to him devotedly until her death. This bowl tells the story of the 5th quire which is the first encounter between Hikaru Genji and Murasaki no Ue.
WAKA means young, and MURASAKI means purple color, but its meaning in this story is the name of the woman whom Hikaru Genji loved. This Matcha bowl portrays the gorgeous and pleasant scene of springtime in Japan, during which Hikaru Genji had a faithful encounter with Murasaki no Ue. White color of wild cherry blossoms are illustrated in three-dimensions, and this technique emphasizes their resplendent beauty. Red leaves, tender green of hills and field, and moss green on the branches adds accent, and these colors give an image of the warmth in spring. Gold color clouds not only impart subtle elegance and capture the scene, but also have an important role to harmonize and define the atmosphere. It seems that the splendid scenery in spring welcomes the encounter between Hikaru Genji and Murasaki no Ue.

Zensho Yamaoka has also painted the inside of the bowl, telling the story of how a friend of Murasaki no Ue lets a sparrow fly away toward the cherry blossoms. This painting not only gives us the peaceful scene in spring but also depth perception toward the springtime scenery.
Once you pour Matcha into this bowl, the bright green color of the Matcha also becomes part of the springtime scenery and the white color of cherry blossoms stands out beautifully. Please enjoy Matcha green tea with the feeling of springtime in Kyoto.