This elegant Kyo-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) is made in the classic Korean zōganseiji (象嵌青磁 - inlaid celadon) style with a flaring lip, greyish-green celadon glaze, and inlaid motifs of clouds, cranes, and flowers. This traditional design pattern is known as unkaku (雲鶴 - clouds and cranes).
Specifications
Made in Japan. Ships from United States.
Width: 12.8 cm (5 in)
Height: 7.4 cm (2.9 in)
Due to the nature of handmade ceramics, slight variations may occur in color, texture, size, and design
Kyō-yaki Ceramics
Kyō-yaki (京焼) is a type of Japanese pottery that traditionally comes from Kyoto, Japan. The pottery traditions of Kyoto date back to the 5th century and are varied in their styles. The styles most associated with modern kyō-yaki production began during the 1600s when Nonomura Ninsei perfected his overglaze technique, leading to the elegantly decorated, multi-coloured wares that Kyoto has come to be famous for.
About Inlaid Celadon
Zōganseiji (象嵌青磁 - inlaid celadon) is a distinctively Korean style of celadon. The techniques to produce celadon spread from China to Korea during the Goryeo dynasty where it took on its own distinct style. At its peak in the 12th century, Goryeo celadon was prized for its jade colour, elegant shapes, and intricate inlay patterns featuring cranes, flowers, and dragons. As the Goryeo dynasty withered, so did its celadons' quality and popularity, until production eventually ceased in the early Joseon dynasty.
Compared to Chinese Longquan celadon, Goryeo celadon typically had a greener hue, elaborate designs, and was usually made from stoneware rather than porcelain.
As the aesthetics of wabi became more popular, Japanese tastes moved away from the extravagance of Chinese teaware and towards simplicity and imperfection. As such, the elaborate designs of Korean inlaid celadon rarely found use in the tea room. The inlaid celadon that did get used typically came from the tail end of the Goryeo or the beginning of the Joseon dynasty, and was of lower quality, being duller and more wabi, thus suiting Japanese tastes.
Meet Nakamura Yohei (中村与平)About the Artist
Made by Yohei Nakamura (中村与平). Born in 1959, Nakamura-san is a prolific potter, producing hundreds of beautiful and affordable tea ceremony utensils across a range of styles.
Kyo-yaki (京焼) is a type of Japanese pottery that traditionally comes from Kyoto, Japan. The pottery traditions of Kyoto date back to the 5th century and are varied in their styles.
