(Please note: ANAGAMA pottery 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: 4.713inch (10.5cm), height: 3.35inch (8.5cm), weight: 11.29oz (320g)
Traditional ANAGAMA pottery fired from September 7th to 10th, 2020.
Made by Eizan Okuda

SOHSYUN means beginning of spring. The green gold color of BEEDORO glaze looks like new sprouts just starting to grow. The white color of this Matcha bowl looks like snow on the ground. A thin covering of natural ash glaze created this beautiful white color during firing in the kiln. This is one of the masterpieces of traditional ANAGAMA pottery, which was fired from September 7th to 10th, 2020.

The BEEDORO that gently flows down the front sides and part of the inside of the bowl is just like the melting of spring snow. Adding such a soft and beautiful BEEDORO flow is not easy. This is one of the parts in which you can see the tremendous skill of Mr. Eizan Okuda.

This Matcha bowl was made using a hand-building technique. First Mr. Eizan Okuda makes coils and places them on the edge of the base in spirals. He pushes down the coil to seal the gap, and pinches it up and shapes the bowl using the potter's wheel. It takes time and effort to form a Matcha bowl in this way, but the end result shows that the artisan has transferred his heart and soul into the work. You can see the trace of coil.

The design of the rim is waved. This shape is made by a combination of wheel-forming and hand-forming techniques. It engenders a unique atmosphere.

tea bowls fired in the ANAGAMA kiln have been sought-after by tea masters throughout the history of tea in Japan, especially by those within the Enshu school. The Enshu school was established by Enshu Kobori (1579-1647), who also developed and established the art of the Japanese garden and landscape in the Middle Ages.

The color and pattern of each ANAGAMA ceramic is completely unique. There is never one ANAGAMA the same as any other. The smoky patterns of the ANAGAMA are created by soil, wood ash, and fire in the ANAGAMA kiln. It is impossible to fully control the patterns made by fire. It is the reason why it is said that ANAGAMA pottery is the art of the combination of earth and fire, and why ANAGAMA fascinates the artisan and touches the heart. (For more information regarding ANGAMA Matcha bowls, please click here)

The front exterior of the Matcha bowl features a natural green gold color glaze flowing. The flame hit the Matcha bowl directly here during firing in the kiln, so the temperature was highest at this point. Reduction firing makes BEEDORO glaze glassy and the flow is beautiful. You can see glassy green BEEDORO glaze at the CHADAMARI (tea pool) on the bottom inside of the bowl, too.

Inside of the bowl, you’ll find a brown and reddish color. This special color, known as HIIRO, which means fire color in Japanese, also appears at the bottom part of the front exterior, adding a warm atmosphere. HIIRO is created by a fine coating of ash on the clay, and is an essential feature of ANAGAMA pottery. This Matcha bowl reflects the light and shows different indescribable features such as gradation color of HIIRO and both shiny and matte surfaces. Burst feldspars look pebbly and shiny, accenting the natural surface texture.

The gradation of white, dark brown, gold and HIIRO is quite beautiful and harmonize perfectly. Feldspars contained in the clay burst gently, which accent the bowl. You will be inspired by the beauty of SOHSYUN Matcha bowl and when you see it, you’ll fall in love.

The hip of this Matcha bowl is rounded, bringing a gentle and warm atmosphere. Its rim is little flared and the curve from the rim to the hip is extremely beautiful and attractive. Mr. Eizan Okuda shaves strongly from the base to the bottom of the bowl and creates a line circling the bowl. When you turn over the bowl, you’ll find that this circle line adds a fine accent and tightens up the form of the Matcha bowl. It evokes a feeling of tension and elegance. The contrast between the upper and lower parts is one of the special features of this Matcha bowl.

The shape of the KOHDAI (foot) is also unique. You can see that it is spread out. We call it BACHIKOHDAI which is stable. Inside, there is a projection which is created by a traditional technique. We call this TOKIN which is a traditional small hood used by YAMABUSHI, Japanese ascetic monks who live in the mountains.

Enormous techniques, developments, time and devotion of Mr. Eizan Okuda went into creating this ANAGAMA work of art. His prominent techniques, and the interaction between fire and earth in the kiln, which cannot be fully controlled, created this one and only sublime Matcha bowl. Once you see or touch SOHSYUN, your heart will be mesmerized by the art of earth, fire, and the artisan's soul.

SOHSYUN Matcha bowl evokes the atmosphere of early spring when new life starts to emerge. It fits gently in the hands because of the rounded form and when you hold it, you’ll feel quite comfortable. This Matcha bowl is perfect to enjoy your precious green tea moment and to experience the beauty of the natural world.

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