{"title":"Akamizugama","description":"\u003cp\u003eAkamizugama is a pottery showroom and studio in Karatsu, Japan, established in 1976 by potter Chiharu Kumamoto. Rooted in the tradition of Karatsu ware, the kiln specialises in teaware and everyday ceramics, combining traditional techniques with a distinctive, contemporary sensibility. Today, works by Chiharu and his son, Sho Kumamoto, are exhibited and available for purchase in the showroom, which welcomes visitors during business hours.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"chosen-karatsu-tea-bowl","title":"Karatsu Matcha Tea Bowl  - Black \u0026 White","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ul1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimension: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e12.5 cm D x H 7 cm\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eRegion: \u003c\/b\u003eKaratsu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eArtist Kiln:\u003c\/b\u003e Akamizugama\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnique: \u003c\/b\u003eChosen Karatsu ware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare: \u003c\/b\u003eNot suitable for Microwave, oven and dishwasher safe for convenient use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Karatsu Tea Bowl, complete with its tomobako (the bespoke wooden box), is one of the matcha tea lover's most desirable matcha tea bowls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the tea ceremony we say ‘Ichi Raku, Ni Hagi, San Karatsu’. This means that a lover of the tea ceremony’ first desire is to own a Raku chawan, their second hope is to own a Hagi chawan, and their next desire is to own a Karatsu chawan. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKaratsu itself is in the Saga prefecture, on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan. The pottery style there is heavily influenced by China and Korea, which are close by to the island.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most famous of all Karatsu city’s potteries is Akazimugama. This specialises in hand-crafting exquisite functional tableware, blending traditional techniques from locally sourced materials. You can sense the inspiration for each piece comes from the natural surroundings and Karatsu's long heritage. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis traditional technique was brought to Japan by a group of potters who migrated from the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. At its heart is the application of a black glaze beneath a white glaze, fired with the use of straw. As the two glazes merge during firing, they create a striking contrast, and a characteristic sense of juxtaposition and eloquence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Akamizugama pottery was established in 1976 as Karatsuya, a tea shop where you could enjoy drinking from handmade pottery. From there it developed into the award-winning pottery kiln and studio that has become so celebrated today. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBefore you start using your Karatsu ware tea bowl:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eFirst soak it in cold water for about 5 minutes to absorb enough water, then – after wiping it off – it is ready for use. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eUnlike earthenware, Karatsu ware is porous and highly absorbent, so please dry it thoroughly to prevent any mould forming. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eKaratsu ware is not suitable for use in a dishwasher, oven or microwave. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Akamizugama","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54894570766719,"sku":"SKU-54894570766719","price":240.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/9549\/9543\/files\/Chosen-Karatsu02-min.jpg?v=1747323681"},{"product_id":"copy-of-chosen-karatsu-tea-bowl","title":"Hand painted Egaratsu Matcha Tea Bowl","description":"\u003cul class=\"ul1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimension: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e12.5 cm D x H 7 cm\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eRegion: \u003c\/b\u003eKaratsu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eArtist Kiln:\u003c\/b\u003e Akamizugama\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnique: \u003c\/b\u003eChosen Karatsu ware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare: \u003c\/b\u003eNot suitable for Microwave, oven and dishwasher safe for convenient use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Karatsu Tea Bowl, complete with its tomobako (the bespoke wooden box), is one of the matcha tea lover's most desirable matcha tea bowls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the tea ceremony we say ‘Ichi Raku, Ni Hagi, San Karatsu’. This means that a lover of the tea ceremony’ first desire is to own a Raku chawan, their second hope is to own a Hagi chawan, and their next desire is to own a Karatsu chawan. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKaratsu is one of the most famous regions of Japan for traditional pottery. This hand-made, versatile bowl fits perfectly in your hands, and offers you a wonderful sense of beauty and energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fine-lined patterns are applied to the bowl using an iron-based underglaze. The piece then undergoes firing with another semi-transparent glaze on top, enabling the underglaze to remain visible. It is a technique renowned for its natural earthy tones and restrained aesthetics.  The egaratsu hand painted technique from teh region gives this bowl its refined elegant touch. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe renowned Akamizugama pottery was established in 1976, and developed from a tea shop where you could enjoy drinking from handmade pottery. From there it developed into the award-winning pottery kiln and studio that has become so celebrated today. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBefore you start using your Karatsu ware tea bowl:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eFirst soak it in cold water for about 5 minutes to absorb enough water, then – after wiping it off – it is ready for use. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eUnlike earthenware, Karatsu ware is porous and highly absorbent, so please dry it thoroughly to prevent any mould forming. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eKaratsu ware is not suitable for use in a dishwasher, oven or microwave. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Akamizugama","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54894584201599,"sku":"SKU-54894584201599","price":240.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/9549\/9543\/files\/Egaratsu01-min.jpg?v=1711473492"}],"url":"https:\/\/keikouchida.com\/collections\/akamizugama.oembed","provider":"Keiko Uchida","version":"1.0","type":"link"}