SHIROYU CHAWAN - KYOHSOH (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)

(Please note: Because this item is usually made-to-order, it may possibly take approximately 5 weeks from the time you order this item until the date it is shipped from Kyoto, Japan. Once ordered, any order change or cancellation cannot be accepted. If you order this item with other items, they will be shipped together.)

diameter: 4.53inch (11.5cm) height: 3.54inch (9cm), standard Matcha bowl size
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai kiln
(Please note that each piece is unique due to the techniques employed by the artisan. There are natural variations in each piece.)

This SHIROYU CHAWAN is quite unique work, which is made with an avant-garde spirit while strictly adhering to traditional Raku-yaki techniques. This bowl is characterized by the unique color which is created by blending transparent glaze used for Aka-raku and white glaze. This color is originally generated by Kyoshitsu Sasaki with a liberal view not influenced by traditional style. We can feel the fusion of the traditional dignity of Raku-yaki and modern creativity in this Matcha bowl. You will be fascinated by the world of Raku-yaki and the artisan Kyoshitsu Sasaki.

This Matcha bowl is made by Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai kiln. Kyoshitsu Sasaki is the third head of Shouraku kiln. Shouraku kiln, which opened in 1903, is one of the most traditional Raku-yaki kilns in Kyoto. Raku-yaki is the highest grade Matcha bowl used for the tea ceremony in Japan. (For details of Raku-yaki: RAKU YAKI - Prestigious bowl page)

The name of "Kyoshitsu" and "Kirai" are from Daitokuji temple, which was erected in 1325. The temple has had a great influence on Japanese culture and Cha-no-yu traditional tea ceremony, since the spirit of Cha-no-yu is based in Zen philosophy. It is also said that Juko Murata or Rikyu Sen, who is the famous tea master and pioneer of the tea ceremony, maintained close relations with Daitokuji temple.

Kyoshitsu Sasaki made this bowl based on the image of cross-cultural interaction with the traditional Japanese culture of Raku-yaki. Innovative ideas, which are ordinarily incompatible with Raku-yaki, brilliantly fuse with Japanese traditional culture. He created this bowl with the spirit of creating a new culture.

The name KYOHSOH of this Matcha bowl means harmony in Japanese. He chose the name KYOHSOH, while imagining that this Matcha bowl descends from heaven into a dark tearoom, bringing harmony to the world, and bridging cultures. It is named with such thoughts.

The discoloration, which looks like a ray of light, on the beautiful white surface of this bowl, is known as YOHEN, and is produced when the glaze changes in the highly heated kiln. The glaze containing cobalt oxide creates the blue-grey color, and the glaze containing copper is used in the dark brown, dark red or greenish color areas.

The YOHEN glaze changes are created by a unique technique. At first, it is fired in a high temperature kiln (about 1,200C) for Kuro-raku. By doing this, the copper components in the glaze become reddish in color by reduction firing. After that, the YOHEN glaze becomes somewhat greenish in color by oxidation when firing in a kiln (about 800C) for Aka-raku to produce the white surface. This two-step firing creates a mysterious color change like no other. This is why this work is very unique and the one and only.

Gold leaf is boldly decorated on the YOHEN glaze. Gold leaf decorated straight from top to bottom is particularly eye-catching. Kyoshitsu Sasaki gave this decoration based on the inspiration that the different cultures are suddenly absorbed into this Matcha bowl.

The sides of this bowl are boldly scraped away and the rim is uneven due to its being formed by hand. The boldly scraped sides and the asymmetric shape create the divinity and dynamism of this work. The shape, which is formed asymmetrically, is also based on his originality and ingenuity, not restricted by traditional style. The appearance is just like a steep mountain or sheer cliff.

Raku-yaki is ordinarily formed asymmetrically and the rim is also not flat but uneven due to TEDUKUNE forming. The unique shape clearly indicates the characteristics of genuine Raku-yaki. It is thought that the characteristics are the foundation of the Cha-no-yu tea ceremony and reflect the Japanese aesthetic. This work also vividly reflects the aesthetic sense and sprit of WABI SABI.

The technique called TSUCHIMISE, which means “show the clay” in Japanese, is used for the bottom of this bowl. This TSUCHIMISE technique is rarely seen in the representative works of Raku-yaki in their long history. The bottom side is quite thinly glazed, and therefore we can enjoy the texture and color of the clay itself. It has a rough texture and some cracks caused by sudden change of temperature when this bowl is taken out from the kiln. Its appearance is quite simple and natural, in contrast to the modern and sophisticated style found elsewhere on this work.

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. Kyoshitsu 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 Japanese tradition and modern ingenuity!

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