This Akatsu-yaki (赤津焼) matcha bowl is decorated with a quiet, monochrome depiction of Shirakawa-go (白川郷), the historic mountain village renowned for its steeply thatched gasshō-zukuri farmhouses. Rendered in soft black brushwork against a milky white glaze, the scene unfolds gently around the bowl’s exterior, inviting slow appreciation as it is turned in the hands.
The form is low and stable, with gently rounded walls that sit comfortably during tea preparation. A fine network of crackle (kannyū) spreads across the glaze, adding depth and warmth to the surface while subtly catching the light. This crackle, together with the visible brush marks, reflects the hand-crafted character that defines Akatsu ware—one of Japan’s oldest ceramic traditions.
The landscape itself is evocative rather than literal: dark silhouettes of thatched roofs and trees emerge through fluid, calligraphic strokes, suggesting mist, distance, and the quiet rhythm of rural life. The restrained palette enhances the sense of stillness, echoing the contemplative atmosphere valued in the tea ceremony.
