black Tatujin matcha bowl by Naosaku

Tanba black tea bowl - Naotake Masamoto

Height 8.8 cm x diameter 13.8 cm

Serenity dwells in the depths of black

The iron hidden in the clay of Tanba quietly seeps out from the jet-black glaze, reflecting soft light with a lustrous glow. Once the tea is made, the green of the matcha emerges like a firefly in the dark night, bringing a mysterious atmosphere to the entire tea ceremony. This bowl is a perfect blend of the bold scenery seen in Tanba ware and the delicate style characteristic of Masamoto Naosaku.

A "wild landscape" running down the torso

The unevenness of the lava-like ash glaze that runs around the body is a fortuitous formation created by natural ashfall in the kiln. The rough texture provides a pleasant sensation to the fingertips, and every time you hold it in your palm, you can vividly feel the presence of earth and fire. This texture, which simultaneously tickles both the senses of sight and touch, is perhaps the greatest appeal of this piece.

The rhythm of the wheel marks and the neat form

The silhouette that spreads gently from the base to the rim is carefully calculated to naturally accommodate the movement of shaking the tea whisk and to ensure that the tea rises beautifully. The slight undulations in the chamfer of the body allow the fingers to fit effortlessly, a reflection of Masamoto Naosaku's thoughtfulness, backed by his many years of experience in tea making.

The genealogy of Tamba ware and the pride of "Naosaku Kiln"

Tanba ware is one of the six ancient kilns, and has been passed down since the Heian period. With the rise of wabi-cha tea, Tanba ware has produced many masterpieces of black-glazed tea bowls. Masamoto Naosaku's Naosaku Kiln is one of the oldest kilns that continues to carry on the spirit of ancient pottery to the present day. The flames of the traditional climbing kiln, which fires the pottery with the reducing flame of red pine firewood, still carve rustic scenery into the surface of the pottery.

Providing a dignified atmosphere for your tea ceremony

The lustrous black of this piece reflects the light of the tea ceremony and the flowers in the tokonoma alcove, further deepening the atmosphere of wabi-sabi. From the moment the guest passes through the nijiriguchi and enters the tea room, the black tea bowl exudes a subtle presence as the star of the tea ceremony. Each time a cup of tea is offered, the flow of the tea ceremony becomes dignified and firm, quietly settling the minds of both the host and the guest.

For your continued use

After use, wash gently with lukewarm water, wipe off any water with a soft cloth and dry in the shade.

Please avoid soaking the pottery in water for long periods of time, as tea stains can easily get into the uneven surface of the ash glaze. You can enjoy the changes in appearance over time as a testament to the time you have spent with the pottery.

The memory of the flames that dwell deep within the black glaze and the unique scenery created by the natural ash... Every time you hold a Tanba black tea bowl by Masamoto Naosaku, it tells you a story of "fire, earth, and time." Please keep it by your side for a long time as your companion to enjoy the silence of the tea ceremony more deeply.