Vintage item, never used. A refined Kutani-yaki 九谷焼 chawan (茶碗) made by Shōkō 松洸, decorated with an elegant kikyō 桔梗 (Japanese bellflower) motif and a broad band of gold.
The bowl has a softly rounded form with a warm ivory-white glaze covered in delicate fine crazing, giving the surface a beautifully aged and tactile character. Around the exterior, slender stems and leaves are painted in shades of turquoise and deep blue, accompanied by stylized kikyō blossoms. A wide gold band encircles the bowl near the upper body, adding a striking yet restrained sense of refinement.
The kikyō (桔梗), or Japanese bellflower, is a classic motif in Japanese decorative arts and one of the traditional Seven Flowers of Autumn (秋の七草 / aki no nanakusa). Its clear blue-violet flowers are closely associated with the quiet beauty of early autumn and are often used in ceramics, textiles and tea utensils to express seasonality and elegance.
Kutani-yaki (九谷焼) is a renowned ceramic tradition from Ishikawa Prefecture, celebrated for its expressive overglaze painting and strong use of colour. While Kutani ware is often known for richly decorated surfaces, this chawan takes a more restrained approach, allowing the cool blue-green floral painting and gold accent to stand out against the pale crackled glaze.
The original wooden tomobako (共箱) is inscribed 「抹茶碗」, identifying the piece as a matcha bowl, and 「松洸造」, indicating that it was made by Shōkō. A graceful and highly decorative chawan, perfect for preparing matcha and especially suited to an autumn tea setting.
Size: 12 x 12 x 8cm
