Deluxe Matcha Starter Set

This Tokoname-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) has a classic shape and is draped in an elegant greyish kohiki glaze. This two-layer finish of white slip and translucent glaze produces a unique effect with subtle colour variations, glaze crazing and kannyū (貫入), along with tiny black iron spots, all characteristic of kohiki glazes. Because of the nature of handmade kohiki wares, each chawan will have a unique colouration pattern

Made by Ishidō Masayuki of Ishidō Kiln (石堂窯).

Kohiki (粉引) is a traditional slipware ceramic style that originated in 15th century Korea. In an attempt to create an affordable mimicry of Chinese white porcelain, iron-rich clay was dipped in white slip (liquified clay) and covered with a translucent ash glaze. Korean kohiki chawan were brought to Japan, where they were revered as masterpieces (名物) by tea masters. Recently, this rustic style has seen a resurgence in popularity owing to its timeless, natural elegance. Compared to the harsh white of porcelain, kohiki vessels have a soft, warm, and organic feel.

Width: 12 cm (4.7 in)
Height: 7 cm (2.8 in)

This Mino-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) is inspired by Seto-guro and Oribe-guro bowls, with a grooved, hantsutsu-gata shape and a textured dark green glaze. This classic cylindrical shape makes for easy whisking.

Made by Kōzan Kiln (好山窯)

Mino-yaki (美濃焼) is a type of Japanese pottery produced in Mino Province in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Since the introduction of mass production in the Meiji period (1868–1912), Mino ware accounts for around 50% of Japanese pottery produced today.

Width: 11 cm (4.3 in)
Height: 7.3 cm (2.9 in)

This Kyo-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) is decorated in the Ninsei style, with a green and gold bamboo grove (竹林 - chikurin) draped over a crazed ivory glaze. The bowl is made in the classic wan-nari shape that is comfortable to hold and easy to whisk in, making it suitable for both beginners and masters alike.

Made by Eizan (栄山)

Width: 12 cm (4.7 in)
Height: 7.5 cm (3 in)

This autumnal Kyo-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) is decorated in the Ninsei style, with gilded green and red maple leaves maple leaves (紅葉 - momiji) draped over a crazed ivory glaze. The bowl is made in the classic wan-nari shape that is comfortable to hold and easy to whisk in, making it suitable for both beginners and masters alike.

Made by Eizan (栄山)

Width: 12 cm (4.7 in)
Height: 7.5 cm (3 in)

This elegant Kyo-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) is a replica of Nonomura Ninsei's famous Cresent Moon Upon the Waves (波に三日月) tea bowl. Faithfully reproducing the original's painted design, this bowl is decorated with a thin crescent moon in gold behind crashing ocean waves in blue and turquoise. Though simple by Kyo-yaki standards, the dynamic composition of this design has captivated potters for over three hundred years.

Nonomura Ninsei (野々村仁清) is known for perfecting overglaze painting in Kyoto in the late 1600s, giving rise to modern styles of Kyo-yaki. Today, some of his works are regarded as national treasures. 

This chawan was made specially for us by Eikō Miyaji (宮地英香), a workshop known for producing affordable and accessible iro-e and seasonal Kyo-yaki chawan, helping spread tea and tea culture.

Width: 12.4 cm (4.9 in)
Height: 7.8 cm (3.1 in)

This autumnal Kyo-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) is decorated in the Kuro-Ninsei style, with red and gold maple leaves (紅葉 - momiji) draped over a black glaze. The bowl is made in the classic Ninsei (仁清) shape, with a slight waist or tightening of the torso, accompanied with a slightly inward facing lip.

This chawan was made by Eikō Miyaji (宮地英香), a workshop known for producing affordable and accessible iro-e and seasonal Kyo-yaki chawan, helping spread tea and tea culture.

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.

Width: 12 cm (4.7 in)
Height: 7.5 cm (3 in)

This Akazu-yaki Ki-Seto chawan (matcha bowl) has a classic soft yellow glaze and is decorated with an inscribed floral motif highlighted with a splash of green copper glaze called tanpan (胆礬). These bowls were designed and produced as a collaboration between Tezumi and Katō Hiroshige of Kasen Kiln.

Following the traditional Ki-Seto technique, each bowl was hand-thrown and then the design is etched into the surface. The Ki-Seto glaze is a mix of ash and feldspar with a little bit of iron-rich clay called oni-ita which turns the glaze yellow in oxidation firing. 

Please note that due to the organic nature of hand-throwing, glazing, and painting, there are variations between pieces, with each bowl being unique in shape and design. Three pieces are pictured above to display these natural variations.

Width: 12 cm (4.7 in)
Height: 7 cm (2.8 in)

This tenmoku-gata Kyo-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) features a clean white glaze, recalling the famed Shiro Tenmoku bowl of the Muromachi period. These white tenmoku shaped chawan are also called Kinin-chawan (貴人茶碗) and are used by some tea ceremony schools for Kinin-date (貴人点) or the service of tea to nobles.

The original tenmoku chawan were brought from Song Dynasty China to Japan along with powdered tea culture in the 13th century. Today, they are the most formal of chawan and are used in the tea ceremony on top of lacquer stands when serving tea to VIPs and nobles or when making tea offerings to shrines or the Buddha. Their elegance stems from their refined shape of a small foot, conical body, and the subtly groove under the flaring lip.

This chawan was made by Tanaka Kōsen (田中香泉).

Dimensions:

Width: 2.6 cm (5 in)
Height: 7 cm (2.8 in)