Matcha Bowl (Shallow Bowl) - Polychrome “Morning Glory” by Kakozan Kiln

Matcha Bowl with Seasonal Flowers

This matcha bowl is from Kakouzan Kiln, a fourth-generation pottery studio in Gojozaka, Kyoto. It features motifs of seasonal flowers that adorn Japan's four seasons, expressing beautiful seasonal scenery within the vessel. Amidst the vibrant colors, one can feel the rustic beauty of nature. It's a bowl that adds a splash of seasonal color not only to tea ceremonies but also to daily tea time.

Elegant Colors Drawn with Japanese Pigments

At Kakouzan Kiln, each piece is hand-painted, valuing traditional Japanese pigments. A key characteristic is the subtle unevenness and three-dimensionality created by layering colors with delicate brushwork and carefully applying the pigments.

The soft hues, intricate depictions, and the texture of hand-painting are unique. The warm texture of the pottery harmonizes with the vibrant painting, allowing for a rich expression that changes with viewing angles and light.

Kakouzan Kiln's Vessels, Following the Style of Kenzan

The artistic style of Kakouzan Kiln inherits the aesthetic sensibility of Ogata Kenzan, a leading potter from the Edo period. Kenzan was a master who created many free and elegant works by combining the rustic texture of pottery with painterly designs, using familiar natural subjects like flowers.

Kakouzan Kiln's vessels beautifully depict seasonal nature while utilizing the warm expression unique to earthenware. Inheriting the aesthetic sense of Kyo-yaki that continues from Kenzan, these matcha bowls are vibrant and approachable, enjoyable in modern life.