KASEYU KURO CHAWAN - Rikyu GONOMI (handcrafted)

(Please note: This is one of a kind and there are never two alike, so that once sold, this will be out of stock. It takes approximately 3 weeks from the time you order this item until the date it is shipped from Japan. In extremely rare cases, it may take up to 4 weeks. If you order this item with other items, they will be shipped together.)

One-of-a-kind piece
diameter: 4.13inch (10.5cm) height: 3.14inch (8cm), standard Matcha bowl size
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai kiln
Op.2310

This KASEYU KURO CHAWAN - Rikyu GONOMI is a genuine Matcha bowl, following the traditional Raku-yaki method. Formed by a traditional method, which does not use a potter's wheel, the bowl is simple yet exquisitely asymmetrical upon closer inspection. This is the ultimate form pursued by Sen no Rikyu over his lifetime. The matte black texture that can only be achieved by firing the glaze, which is made from a precious stone, at extremely difficult temperature and time controls, makes this Matcha bowl a very special masterpiece.

Sen no Rikyu (1522 - 1591) is known as the founder of the CHANOYU tea ceremony. He pursued the spirit of ZEN throughout his life. WABI SABI in the spirit of ZEN is a philosophy that emphasizes that the ultimate beauty is what remains at the end of the pursuit of the minimum necessary, after eliminating all falsehoods. Kyoshitsu Sasaki has created the ultimate Matcha bowl, which Sen no Rikyu pursued, using the techniques of the time.

This Matcha bowl is made by Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai kiln. Kyoshitsu Sasaki is the fourth 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 - Avantgarde to Tradition 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 CHANOYU traditional tea ceremony, since the spirit of CHANOYU is based in Zen philosophy. It is also said that Juko Murata or Sen no Rikyu, who is the famous tea master and pioneer of the tea ceremony, maintained close relations with Daitokuji temple.

Rikyu GONOMI means the form favored by Rikyu. The beauty of this Matcha bowl, without any superfluous decoration, striving for the minimum necessary, directly expresses the spirit of the CHANOYU tea ceremony founded by Sen no Rikyu. In other words, his pursuit of the world of ZEN is expressed in this Matcha bowl. (More info: Sen no Rikyu & the ZEN spirit).

This unique matte black texture is created by a glaze made from a precious stone called KAMOGAWAISI. This glaze begins to melt at a temperature of 1,200 degrees Celsius, but this fascinating texture can be obtained only by removing the Matcha bowl from the kiln before the glaze is completely melted. The proper timing of the removal from the kiln is extremely difficult and must be accurate to the tens of seconds. Kyoshitsu Sasaki dared to use firing methods of the time that are no longer practiced due to technological developments. This is to express the beauty of imperfection, one of the values of ZEN that Rikyu sought.

The shape of this Matcha bowl may seem very simple at first glance, but the traditional TEZUKUNE method of forming creates an exquisite shape that fits just right in the hand of the bearer. TEZUKUNE does not use a potter's wheel, but kneads the clay by hand to form the bowl and then shapes it with a spatula. By not using the potter's wheel, slight differences in thickness and distortion are revealed, creating asymmetry. It is thought that the characteristics are the foundation of the CHANOYU tea ceremony and reflect the Japanese aesthetic. This feature vividly reflects the aesthetic sense and sprit of WABI SABI. The body of the Matcha bowl, with its rounded waist and exquisite neckline, is wonderfully comfortable in the hand, and the slightly inward-sloped mouth makes drinking Matcha a smooth experience. The simple appearance, without ostentation, espouses the spirit of ZEN.

When looking at this Matcha bowl from the back, one can see that everything down to the KOHDAI base is covered in black glaze. Today, Matcha bowls with unglazed KOHDAI bases are the mainstream, a characteristic that has been seen since the time of RAKU DONYU, the third generation of the Raku family that created Raku-yaki.

In addition, on this Matcha bowl there are five traces called MEATO found on the KOHDAI base. MEATO refers to the marks of seashells and other materials used to prevent the Matcha bowl from sticking to the kiln during firing. The artisan has taken great care in the number of these marks to reproduce the style of the period.

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.

Having this KASEYU KURO CHAWAN does not just mean having a high-end Matcha bowl. Bringing this Matcha bowl into your life means to receive the richness of the history of the tea ceremony and Rikyu's pursuit of the spirit of ZEN that is felt through the experience of drinking Matcha in this unequalled masterpiece.(More info: Sen no Rikyu & the ZEN spirit).

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