Vintage item, never used. This Kyo-yaki (京焼) hirachawan (平茶碗, flat matcha bowl) was crafted by the Kyoto potter Ryūzan (隆山) and is titled “Kinsai Iroe Unkin” (金彩色絵雲錦), meaning “Gold and Polychrome Clouds and Brocade.” The design draws inspiration from the poetic Japanese concept of Unkin (雲錦) — clouds and brocade — a classical motif symbolizing the beauty of changing seasons through clouds, autumn leaves, and blossoms.
The bowl features brilliant overglaze enamel painting (iroe) with rich hues of red, green, and blue, delicately accented with gold (kinsai). The motif of maple leaves in radiant vermilion and the refined gold outlining evoke the luxurious textile patterns of nishiki brocade. The slightly flared and low profile of the hirachawan form is particularly suited for summer tea gatherings, allowing the matcha to cool gracefully.
Kyo-yaki, or Kyoto ware, is celebrated for its sophistication, elegance, and painterly decoration — a tradition that flourished under the influence of tea ceremony aesthetics and Kyoto’s refined court culture. This piece by Ryūzan exemplifies those qualities with perfect harmony between form, color, and theme.
