(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: 4.33inch (111cm) height: 2.95inch (7.5cm), standard Matcha bowl size
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai kiln
Op.KB202509 (Please note that each piece is unique due to the techniques employed by the artisan. There are natural variations in each piece.)

This KURO ORIBE CHAWAN is quite unique work, which is made with an avant-garde spirit while strictly adhering to traditional Raku-yaki techniques. What makes this work extraordinary is the harmonization of Raku-yaki and Oribe-yaki, which are two contradictory styles. Raku-yaki focuses on the principle of unintentionality, whereas Oribe-yaki celebrates the artisan’s intentional work in terms of shape, texture, and design. The artisan, Kyoshitsu Sasaki, made it possible to skillfully and beautifully employ characteristics of Oribe-yaki while expanding the world of Raku-yaki.

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.

While Raku-yaki is grounded on the nature of unintentionality, Oribe-yaki is aimed at putting “intentional unintentionality” into an art. The two contradictory styles coexist in one art, and not only illuminate the contrast, but also prove how opposite forces complement each other and create such a sublime art together.

How this CHAWAN is characterized by Oribe-yaki is seen in intentional design to exhibit aimless characteristics. For example, the foot on the bowl is intentionally shaped into an irregular circle. The bottom of the bowl is carved flat. Additionally, there is an intentional bump around the rim of the bowl. Lastly, the design on the side consists of black pigment and red copper glaze, and it does not aim to realistically represent the visible world. This abstract design is something that stems from Oribe-yaki style, which only focuses on formal elements of art, such as line, shape, and color. It leaves room for our own interpretation.

The name, KOUBAI, is derived from the Japanese term for red plum blossoms (UME). Although not a direct representation of any specific object, the design's deliberate and abstract elements evoke the image of a plum tree. The piece features black lines, resembling a tree limb, adorned with randomly placed red dots made from copper glaze. This composition is reminiscent of a plum tree in full bloom during late winter. The burning red hue of the blossoms is a powerful contrast to the cold of winter, providing a sense of warmth. Ultimately, this CHAWAN captures the vibrant and elegant scenery of red plum blossoms flourishing amidst a snowy Japanese winter.

Raku-yaki is grounded in the principle of unintentionality, which allows for natural irregularities to emerge. This is achieved through the TEDUKUNE technique, where the artisan hand-forms the bowl without using a potter’s wheel. The way this CHAWAN has a soft shape toward the bottom reflects Raku-yaki style, that employs the soft landscape molded by a human palm. For the same reason, the rim of the CHAWAN is shaped into almost a square form, known as MASU. This design references the traditional wooden cup historically used for serving sake at celebratory gatherings. Historically, it was also used as a vessel for religious offerings, and it is still regarded as an auspicious tool.

The track of the tongs used to remove the hot Raku from the kiln, called YATTOKO-ATO, remains on the inside and outside of the bowl. This is proof of genuine Raku-yaki produced by traditional Raku-yaki methods. And you can also see the small dots like pinholes on the surface of the glaze. The dots are from the bubbling of the glaze, which occurs when it is fired at a high temperature. These are also evidence that this piece was created by traditional methods.

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.