Kyoto Ware Matcha Bowl (Chawan) — New Year Mayudama & Uguisu-bue Motif, Iro-e Enamels

This Kyoto ware (Kyō-yaki / Kiyomizu-yaki) matcha bowl is decorated with a lighthearted New Year theme. On the main side, slender willow branches hang with round ornaments in red, yellow, green and white, each outlined in gold, with a folded white paper charm among them. The design appears to show mayudama (繭玉), the New Year branches hung with small rice-cake balls and good-luck charms, traditionally displayed to wish for a prosperous year. On the reverse, a small green bird perches on a length of bamboo. It resembles an uguisu-bue (bush-warbler whistle), a traditional toy and auspicious charm linked to the arrival of spring. Together, the two scenes make this a seasonal bowl for New Year and hatsugama, the first tea gathering of the year, in January.

The decoration is done in overglaze enamels (iro-e), the painted-enamel technique Kyoto potters are known for. The red and green enamels show a fine crackle, and each shape is neatly outlined in gold. The ground is a warm ivory glaze with an allover crackle (kan'nyū), inside and out, and the plain interior leaves the tea as the focus.

The shape is a classic wan-nari (rounded bowl form) with softly curved walls. The foot is unglazed, pale and neatly trimmed in a stepped profile, with visible turning marks. An impressed square potter's seal (kama-in) sits just above the foot.

The bowl comes in its paper-covered box with the original printed leaflet from the maker or retailer (陶雅会).

Details:

• Origin: Japan, Kyoto ware (Kyō-yaki / Kiyomizu-yaki). Stamped with an impressed square seal (see photos).

• Form: Rounded wan-nari chawan with a stepped, trimmed foot ring

• Glaze: Warm ivory glaze with fine allover crackle, inside and out

• Decoration: Overglaze enamel (iro-e) mayudama ornaments on willow branches in red, yellow, green and white with gold outlines; a green bird on bamboo on the reverse

• Base: Unglazed pale foot with turning marks, impressed square seal

• Seasonal theme: New Year / hatsugama (January)

• Condition: Good secondhand condition. The crackle in the glaze and enamels is a natural feature of the firing. Please see photos for detail. Gold outlines can wear with rubbing, so hand-wash gently.

• Packaging: Paper-covered box with original leaflet

• Dimensions: (Ø) 11.5 cm x (H) 8 cm