Asahiyaki Tea Bowl (Rice Straw Ash)

£85.00

A wood fired tea bowl for whisking matcha, made by Asahiyaki, a 16th generation kiln in Uji near Kyoto.

The glaze of this bowl is made using rice straw ash and translates as ‘moon white’. It is actually an incandescent blue with areas of violet or white on the inside and outside of the bowl.  The turning marks of the bowl can be seen in concentric circles around the body, while the shape of the bowl is pinched in slightly at the top before flaring out again. The bottom of the bowl is unglazed and the glaze stops around 1cm above the foot where it has been dipped.

This, along with its sister bowls, is an excellent starter bowl for anyone who makes, or wants to start making, matcha regularly. It is suitable for making both usucha (thin tea) and koicha (thick tea).

Dimensions: 12cm (diameter) x 6.5cm (height)

In stock

Description

The Asahi Pottery is rooted in Japan’s oldest center for tea cultivation, the famed town of Uji.

The pottery has been in continued production over 400 years, through 16 generations of the Matsubayashi family. From the time of the founder, Tosaku, the Asahi workshop has provided tea bowls treasured for preparing whipped tea to nobility, warrior rulers , and tea masters.

Another representative Asahi product is the spouted teapot (kyusu or hobin) for preparing steeped tea. It was introduced to the workshop’s repertory about 150 years ago by the 8th generation master, Chohei.

Today, under the guidance the 16th master, Matsubayashi Hosai, the Asahi workshop continues to focus on utensil for various modes of serving tea, while at the same time creating a wide variety of utensils suited to contemporary life.

The family’s work can be found in leading museums around the world including The Brooklyn Museum and The British Museum.

Additional information

Weight 2 kg