MANGE YUTEKI (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)

diameter: 5.11inch (13.0cm), height: 2.95inch (7.5cm), standard Matcha bowl size
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Nishijima Hideki at Yanagi Kiln

This Matcha bowl looks very simple, but it requires immeasurable efforts and time to create this bowl. Black and white glaze coat this earthenware color Matcha bowl. The flow of white glaze is well reflected on the black glaze, and creates an irregular pattern.

MANGE means kaleidoscope, and YUTEKI means oil droplet. This oil droplet is also called YUTEKI TENMOKU, which is silvery oil spots, and its flow is mixed with black glaze, which seems as though we are looking into a kaleidoscope.

TENMOKU is an iron glaze traditionally known for its impenetrable and elusive nature. In ancient times, it was said that if an artisan tried to pursue TENMOKU glaze, they would become insolvent. It was developed 800 years ago, and many artisans pursed its technique, but few were successful. Because TENMOKU glaze was so difficult to create, it was a great honor for tea masters to acquire such precious earthenware at that time.

Hideki Nishijima utilizes a remarkable glazing technique, applying two color glazes, to create a gorgeous and elegant surface known as TENMOKU on this matcha bowl. At a glance, it appears as though the black glaze coats the Matcha bowl first, and the white glaze is applied over the black glaze. However, the white glaze is used first, and the black glaze is coated over the Matcha bowl after that. The white glaze emerges from the black glaze during the firing process, and the firing temperature creates the flow of the white glaze. His prominent glazing technique caused by the temperature change gives the illusory beauty to the bowl.

It is said that the use of two glazes creates a thick Matcha bowl, but this Matcha bowl is thin to hold. Hideki Nishijima makes thin earthenware on the potter's wheel, which is refined work. His elaborate technique of the potter's wheel enhances the elegance of the glazing.

Sophisticated wheel and glazing techniques create a simple yet elegant atmosphere to the Matcha bowl. The flow of glaze, which naturally occurs during firing, also creates the dynamic atmosphere of this bowl. The character of this bowl, brought by the artisan’s techniques and by firing in the kiln, enhance the taste of the Matcha.

Even skilled potters cannot control the expression of YUTEKI oil droplets, so that each work is the only one on the earth. We expect a gracious first encounter between you and this bowl, which is ICHIGO ICHIE, meaning "treasure each meeting, for it will never recur."

Specially packaged in a wooden box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan.
(Please note that there are individual differences in each piece and each piece is unique, due to the features of this work.)