This hantsutsu-gata chawan (matcha bowl) has a subtly irregular hand-built shape, reminiscent of many raku chawan. It is glazed in a mottled grey-brown with abstract brushstrokes on its face (正面 - shoumen). Signed 火山.

Once cracked, this chawan has been repaired with kintsugi that has been gold powdered on the outside, but left in its original black urushi lacquer on the inside.

Kintsugi (金継ぎ - gold joinery) is a ceramic repair technique in which chips, cracks, and broken pieces are repaired with urushi lacquer, which is either mixed or dusted with precious metal powder, typically gold or silver. Rather than hiding the damage, the use of precious metals highlights the flaws, which tells the story of the item’s wear and repair over time, and ties into the Buddhist concept of mushin (無心 - no mind) which embraces such imperfection.

The technique and philosophy of kintsugi has long been associated with chanoyu (茶の湯) or the Japanese tea ceremony, where it has been used on many famous pieces. The earliest examples were often repaired with simple black or red urushi lacquer, which is less ornate and more wabi or humble. Though the technique of lacquer repair dates as far back as the Jomon period, it was supposedly first introduced to the tea room by Furuta Oribe (古田織部) in the late 16th to early 17th century.

Dimensions:

12.4cm (4.9in) - width
8cm (3.1in) - height
300ml - capacity

Condition: Very good

This vintage Japanese item ships from Thailand