This exquisite Hagi-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) is made in the hantsutsu-gata shape (half-cylindrical) and features a translucent milky white glaze over its coarse, iron-rich mishima clay body. The entire chawan is glazed save for the potter's stamp and three finger marks on the foot ring.

This chawan was made by 8th generation potter Kaneda Keien (兼田佳炎).

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:

12.5cm (4.9in) - width
9cm (3.5in) - height
500ml - capacity

Condition: Excellent

This vintage Japanese item ships from the United States