This exquisite Hagi-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) features an Ido-style shape with a tall bamboo node-shaped foot (竹の節高台 - takenofushi koudai) with the typical Hagi-yaki notch cut into it. Atop the iron-rich clay, this chawan sports a milky white glaze with lovely crazing (貫入 - kannyuū). The koshi (腰 - lower back) of the bowl has a subtle spiraled shape with gentle rokurome (ろくろ目 - potters' wheel marks) which shows the flow of the potter's fingers as they shaped the piece on the wheel.

This chawan was made in the 1980s (sometime before 1983) by Tanga Hirose (広瀬淡雅) of Tenbouzan Hon-gama (天鵬山 本窯), which is the higher end branch of Tenbouzan Tsubaki Kiln (天鵬山 椿窯). The chawan ships in its original kiribako (桐箱 - wooden paulownia box).

Hagi-yaki (萩焼) is a type of Japanese pottery that comes from the town of Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan and dates back over 400 years. Some of the oldest Hagi-yaki pieces have been declared National Treasures of Japan. The natural warm hues of its clay, along with the simple lines of its forms are highly valued within the traditional aesthetics of many tea ceremony schools.

Hagi ware is said to improve with age as the tannins in the tea slowly stain the fine cracks in the glaze (called crazing or kan-nyuu), creating a rich texture known as 'nanabake', or 'the 7 transformations'. Because of this slightly porous nature, some people like to dedicate their Hagi ware to one type of tea, such as sencha, to avoid having other aromas seep into the clay.

Dimensions:

13.3cm (5.2in) - width
7.8cm (3.1in) - height
300ml - capacity

Condition: Excellent

This vintage Japanese item ships from the United States