KOTO SAKURA (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)

diameter: 4.72inch (12cm) height: 3.35inch (8.5cm), standard matcha bowl size
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Zenshoh Yamaoka at Zenshoh Kiln

KOTO means Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, and SAKURA means cherry blossom. The magnificent pagoda seen between the gorgeous cherry blossom patterns is painted in the motif of the five-story pagoda of Hokanji Temple. This temple is located close to Kiyomizudera Temple, and its landscape is just as famous. The existing five-story pagoda of Hokanji Temple was rebuilt in the 15th century and is well loved by the people of Japan.

The white and pink cherry blossom patterns, carefully drawn one brush stroke at a time, bring a beautiful three-dimensional effect to this Matcha bowl. The five-story pagoda towering majestically can be seen beyond these beautiful flowers. The gold painting called KINSAI gorgeously illustrates the view of distant cherry blossoms in a cloud of mist. This kind of scenery is called HANAGASUMI, and is so elegant that it is used in HAIKU poetry as a seasonal term for spring.

The season for viewing cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan is actually very short. Furthermore, there are very few places where you can see the breathtaking combination of the five-story pagoda and cherry blossoms as painted on this Matcha bowl. This Matcha bowl, which captures such precious time and space, is reasonably priced for its many highlights.

Colorful patches of orange are called GOHONDE, a traditional technique that adds warmth to the atmosphere of the work. The warm colors are created by iron constituents in the clay. The reduction firing of these iron constituents is easily affected by the conditions of temperature in the kiln, firing time of each temperature, cool down time and so on. It is said that it is impossible to fully control the contrasting density of GOHONDE even for the proficient artisan, so GOHONDE is a little different in each work. It is also said that it is a part of WABI SABI which pattern GOHONDE you encounter.

The GOHONDE orange patches bring to mind the morning sun, calmness, beauty, serenity and power of the rising sun. It is the reason why some generations of tea ceremony masters have loved GOHONDE.

We are able to feel the great techniques of Zenshoh Yamaoka from this Matcha bowl. When you pour Matcha into this bowl, the gentle cherry blossom scenery will envelop the Matcha with soft warmth and enrich its flavor.

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