This elegant Shino-yaki (志野焼) matcha bowl reflects the rustic refinement of one of Japan’s most iconic ceramic traditions. The surface is finished in a soft, milky glaze with warm beige undertones, scattered with natural pinholes and subtle kiln freckles (yuzuhada 柚子肌, “citron skin”), a hallmark of Shino ware. Fine crackling (kan-nyū 貫入) across the glaze adds further depth and texture, creating a piece that embodies the beauty of imperfection.
The hand-formed cylindrical shape is slightly uneven, giving it a tactile quality that feels natural in the hands. Its understated appearance invites quiet reflection during tea preparation, perfectly embodying the wabi-sabi aesthetic cherished in Japanese tea culture.
Shino-yaki, first developed in the Mino region (modern-day Gifu Prefecture) in the late 16th century, was the first Japanese pottery to use a feldspathic glaze. Highly prized by tea masters, Shino bowls are admired for their soft glaze tones, organic forms, and the way they reveal new subtleties with continued use.
