Shima

The chawan occupies a unique place in Japanese ceramic history — not quite sculpture, not quite vessel, but something between the two. Shaped by the aesthetics of chado, the way of tea, every proportion carries intention: the width calibrated for the chasen, the height designed to hold warmth, the weight considered for two hands in stillness.

This bowl, made in Japan around 1950, embodies the quieter register of mid-century Shōwa-era pottery. Horizontal bands of deep brown circle the body in a composed, rhythmic pattern — a motif with roots in classical yakimono traditions, where decoration was never ornament for its own sake. The glaze is grounded and warm, the kind of earth tone that deepens in the presence of whisked matcha.

On the base, a potter's signature — the mark of individual authorship in a craft where anonymity was once the norm. The piece was sourced at the Ōsu Antique Market in Nagoya, one of Japan's most respected destinations for serious ceramics and antique ware.

The interior carries the faint patina of use — minor staining that speaks not of neglect, but of a bowl that has served its purpose well. In the language of chado, that history is part of the object's value.

Details

• Type — Matcha chawan / tea ceremony bowl
• Origin — Japan (Ōsu Antique Market, Nagoya)
• Period — Circa 1950, Shōwa era
• Material — Ceramic / yakimono
• Glaze & Decoration — Deep brown lateral stripe pattern
• Signature — Hand-written potter's mark on base
• Dimensions — 10.7 cm × 8 cm (diameter × height)
• Weight — 261 g
• Condition — Good. Minor interior staining; age-consistent wear throughout