Shino Matcha Chawan — White Feldspar Glaze, Pinholed "Citron Skin" Surface

This hand-built matcha bowl (chawan) is covered in a thick, milky white glaze that shows the classic traits of Shino ware. Shino originated in the Mino region (present-day Gifu Prefecture) during the Momoyama period in the late 16th century, and it is often cited as one of the first white-glazed wares produced in Japan. Its glaze is made largely from feldspar and applied thickly, so it fires to a soft, heavy white rather than a thin, glassy coat.

The surface is covered with fine pinholes, an effect known in Japanese as yuzu-hada (citron skin), because it resembles the dimpled peel of the yuzu fruit. The pinholes form as gases escape through the thick glaze during firing. A network of crackle runs across the whole bowl, and some of the pinholes and crackle lines have picked up faint warm tones over time. Where the glaze thins over ridges and near the foot, it takes on a faint blush, and small patches of the iron-rich clay show through.

The form is soft and slightly squared, with hand-pressed dents in the walls and an undulating rim, so each side of the bowl looks different. The interior is deep and smooth, with a broad, bold crackle that has darkened slightly with use, a quality many tea practitioners value as a sign of a bowl that has been used and cared for.

Details:

• Origin: Shino ware, Japan (Shino glaze tradition originating in Mino, Gifu Prefecture; kiln/maker unconfirmed)

• Form: Matcha chawan, rounded, slightly squared form with hand-pressed walls and an undulating rim

• Clay: Iron-rich reddish-brown stoneware, visible at the foot

• Glaze: Thick white feldspar Shino glaze with pinholes (yuzu-hada), allover crackle and faint warm blush where thin

• Decoration: No applied motif; character comes from the hand-shaped form and glaze texture

• Base: Unglazed trimmed foot with dark iron wash band; small applied clay pad with impressed mark beside the foot

• Condition: Good secondhand condition. Crackle, pinholes and glaze crawling near the foot are characteristic of Shino and part of the making process. Light darkening in the interior crackle from use. Please see photos for any chips or wear

• Quantity: Single chawan only. The chasen (bamboo whisk) is shown for scale and styling and is not included

• Dimensions: (Ø) approx. 11cm x (H) approx. 8.8cm