This grand Kyo-yaki Chaire (茶入 - tea container) is made in the classic taikai (大海 - vast ocean) shape, with a low, wide body and a large opening. The black glaze is pierced by two colourful drips down the shomen (正面 - face) with the main drip going all the way to the bottom of the glaze.
Made by Teiichi Oketani (桶谷定一), a second generation potter born in 1935 who specialises in chaire and tenmoku chawan. This vintage item ships in its original tomobako (paulownia wooden box).
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.
Dimensions:
8.3cm (3.3in) - width
6cm (2.4in) - height
Condition: Excellent
This vintage Japanese item ships from the United States
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