This is a Kyo-yaki chawan matcha bowl 京焼 茶碗, decorated in the traditional Koyomi-de 曆手 style with blue-and-white underglaze painting.
This design belongs to the style known as Koyomi-de 曆手, which originated in the Edo period. Koyomi-de ceramics often depict street names, post stations, famous places, or historical sites from various regions, usually painted with somezuke 染付, the underglaze blue technique. The result is a strong sense of historical memory and geographical travelogue, as if the bowl itself records a journey through old Japan.
These inscriptions refer to important transportation routes in Japan during and after the Edo period, evoking the world of travellers, post towns, pilgrimage routes, and famous regional roads.
Kyo-yaki 京焼, or Kyoto ware, refers to ceramics produced in Kyoto and its surrounding area. It is known for refined decoration, elegant forms, and a close connection with Japanese tea ceremony culture. Compared with more rustic regional wares, Kyo-yaki often has a graceful and decorative character, making it highly appreciated for tea utensils and display pieces.
The soft cream-coloured glaze, fine crackle, and cobalt-blue brushwork give this chawan a calm yet expressive appearance. It is suitable for matcha tea ceremony practice, display, or as a collectible piece of Japanese ceramic ware.
Size: 13 x 13 x 7cm
