This Seto-yaki chaire (茶入 - tea container) is made in a unique shape, with the sharp shoulders of the classic katatsuki (肩衝 ) shape, but with a shorter stature. The lid is made in the heshizuku (瓶子づく - sake bottle) shape, with a tall knob. The black Seto-guro style glaze has an irregular surface and is marked by a subtle red drips down the shomen (正面 - face).

The chaire comes paired with an orange silk brocade pouch (仕覆 - shifuku) with a purple drawstring, woven in a traditional arabesque pattern called araiso donsu (荒磯純子) with carp like fish swimming amongst waves.

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:

6.5cm (2.6in) - width
6.9cm (2.7in) - height

Condition: Very good

This vintage Japanese item ships from the United States