This Seto-yaki chaire (茶入 - tea container) is made in the classic imo-no-ko (芋子) shape, with a barreled body and soft, rounded shoulders. The speckled black glaze is pierced by a singular colourful drip down the shōmen (正面 - face) that flows to the bottom of the glaze

The chaire comes paired with a light green silk brocade pouch (仕覆 - shifuku) with a purple drawstring, woven in a traditional floral arabesque pattern


Chaire (茶入 - tea container), pronounced cha-ee-reh or chai-reh, are ceramic vessels used to hold high-grade matcha used to make koicha (thick tea). They are some of the most highly-regarded tea ceremony utensils. Chaire lids are typically coated with gold or silver leaf on the underside, which was thought to be a pure material that would discolour when it came into contact with poison, thus protecting one from drinking poisoned tea. Chaire are also paired with a custom-made silk brocade pouch (仕覆 - shifuku) that is tied tightly with a drawstring.

Seto-yaki (瀬戸焼) is a type of Japanese pottery that traditionally comes from the area around Seto town in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.The site of one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, pottery has been made in Seto since at least the 13th century. During the Kamakura period, Seto wares became known for their reproductions of Song-dynasty Chinese wares such as elegant celadons and striking tenmoku chawan. Many of the glazes and styles that were developed in Seto, such as Kiseto, Seto-guro, Ao-Oribe, and Shino-Oribe, later spread to nearby Gifu prefecture, where they became incorporated into Mino-yaki.

Dimensions:

5.5cm (2.2in) - width
8cm (3.1in) - height

Condition: Very good

This vintage Japanese item ships from the United States