The Irabo matcha bowl by Shinsui Ichino

Tanba Irabo tea bowl - Shinsui Ichino

The epitome of "wabi" (wabi) created without glaze, using only clay and fire

1. What is Irabo?

Irabo tea bowls originate from the simple Ido-style tea bowls of the late Goryeo period, and are a type of Goryeo tea bowl characterized by their rough texture and iron spots. In Japan, they have been loved by tea masters since the Momoyama period, and have been called "Irabo" because they found charm in their "irritatingly rough" texture. Ichino Shinsui is reviving that spirit in modern times using clay from Tamba.

2. The beauty of the clay surface without glaze

This piece is completely unglazed, and is clad only in iron-rich clay from Tamba and natural ash produced by the flames of the climbing kiln. Fine quartz grains sparkle like stardust on the surface, and black iron flecks appear here and there, adding a sophisticated accent. The roughness that is felt the moment you touch it is the "irritated skin" that is unique to Irabo. The breath of the clay is transmitted directly to the palm of your hand, bringing a rustic charm and warmth to the act of making tea.

3. A design that combines elegance and rustic charm

The elegant silhouette that opens smoothly towards the rim is the result of the outstanding potter's wheel skills inherited from the founder. The base is cut slightly low and light finger marks are left on the inside, achieving both a simple taste and practicality. It provides stability when shaking the tea whisk and ample space for the tea to rise softly.

4. Unrelenting pursuit of clay making and firing

Shinsui Ichino collects rough clay from the mountains of Tanba and lets it rest for several years, then deliberately leaves the stone and iron in it before kneading it to bring out the coarse grain that is essential to Irabo. By firing the clay for more than three days and nights in a climbing kiln, the ash naturally dissolves and forms a thin glassy film, and the wabi-sabi aesthetic naturally settles on the surface of the pottery, even without the use of glaze.

5. The more you use it, the more its charm deepens

Initial appearance : The rustic ochre color and sparkling quartz grains are refreshing, giving a sense of purity amidst the roughness.

After several dozen draws : The tea stains have soaked in, giving the dish a more subdued dark brown color and a more rustic look.

Over the years , the rim and inside become more moist, and a soft luster connects the roughness, transforming it into a unique ``aged appearance.''

6. Handling instructions

Before use, rinse lightly with water to moisten the surface.

After use, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, wipe dry with a cloth and allow to dry thoroughly.

Please refrain from using detergents or soaking the product in water for long periods of time, as this may impair the natural breathing ability of the clay.

This Tanba Irabo tea bowl is the work of Ichino Shinsui, crafted entirely from clay and fire. Its rough texture and rustic appearance bring out the vivid green of the matcha tea, bringing a quiet rustic charm to your tea ceremony. We hope you will treasure it for many years to come, and savor the beauty of its refined beauty that deepens with time.

History of pottery making

• 1957: Born in Tachikui, Tanba as the eldest son of the founder Shinsui
• 1980: Started making pottery in Tamba Tachikui, selected for the Prefectural Exhibition
• 1983: Received the Cultural Association Award at the Prefectural Crafts and Arts Exhibition
• 1984: Received the Association Award at the Prefectural Crafts and Arts Exhibition and became a member of the Prefectural Crafts and Arts Artists Association.
• 1985: Selected for the All Kansai Art Exhibition
• 1986: Selected for the Japan Crafts Association Kinki Exhibition
• 1989: Selected for the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Two-Person Exhibition, Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition for the first time, Toyota Sogo Three-Person Exhibition
• 1990: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 1991: Selected for the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Two-Person Exhibition, Prefectural Crafts and Arts Exhibition, Kobe Shimbun Grand Prize
• 1992: Selected for the Ikebukuro Seibu Horaikai Exhibition, the Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition, and the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 1993: Selected for the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition, Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Certified as a full member of the Japan Crafts Association, Received the Kobe Shimbun Grand Prize at the Prefectural Crafts and Arts Exhibition
• 1995: Solo exhibition at Osaka Takashimaya, selected for the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition, selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 1996: Selected for Gallery Kurimoto solo exhibition and Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 1997: Solo exhibition at Osaka Takashimaya, selected for the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition, solo exhibition at Mito Keisei Department Store, solo exhibition at Gallery Eikosha
• 1998: Solo exhibition at Gallery Kurimoto, selected for the Exhibition of Tea Ceremony Designs, solo exhibition at Daikokuya, solo exhibition at Osaka Takashimaya
• 1999: Selected for the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition, Solo Exhibition at Toyota Sogo
• 2000: Selected for the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition
• 2001: Selected for the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition, and the 16th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition "Tanba Tea Caddy"
• 2002: Changed his name from Katsuaki to the second generation "Ichino Shinsui", was selected for the Exhibition of Tea Ceremony Forms, and held the Ichino Shinsui Succession Exhibition at Osaka Takashimaya and JR Nagoya Takashimaya
• 2003: Selected for the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition, Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, solo exhibition at Yonago Takashimaya, Gallery Momoyama, and Kobe Daimaru
• 2004: Solo exhibition at Houeidou, solo exhibition at JR Nagoya Takashimaya
• 2005: Selected for the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition, Selected for the Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition, Solo exhibition at Gallery Kurimoto, Solo exhibition at Kyoto Takashimaya
• 2006: Solo exhibition at Yonago Takashimaya, Osaka Takashimaya, Shimonoseki Daimaru, Gallery Tsuboya
• 2007: Exhibited ceramics from Hyogo, selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, solo exhibition at JR Nagoya Takashimaya
• 2008: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Gallery Kurimoto solo exhibition
• 2009: Solo exhibition at Osaka Takashimaya, solo exhibition at Yonago Takashimaya
• 2011: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 2014: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition
• 2015: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition, and the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 2016: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition, and the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 2017: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 2018: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 2022: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition