This is a beautiful Annan-yaki (安南焼) matcha bowl, a style originally influenced by Vietnamese ceramics and admired in Japan since the Momoyama period (late 16th century). Annan-yaki wares are known for their creamy clay bodies decorated with hand-painted cobalt blue designs under a transparent glaze, often with natural crackle patterns.
The bowl features a warm ivory base with deep indigo decoration. Flowing scroll motifs encircle the rim, while the body is adorned with bold brushwork of foliage and stylized patterns, giving the piece both rhythm and elegance. The interior is accented with a simple blue line, balancing the ornate exterior with subtle restraint. The unglazed foot reveals the reddish clay body, highlighting its handmade nature.
Annan-yaki bowls were highly prized by Japanese tea masters, valued for their exotic beauty and the way their designs harmonized with the principles of wabi-cha. This piece captures that charm—delicate yet rustic, refined yet spontaneous.
