Tetsu Shino Tea Bowl

Shino ware originated in the late 16th century in Japan’s Mino region and is recognised as the country’s first successful white-glazed ceramic tradition. Early potters experimented with feldspar-rich glazes layered over coarse, iron-bearing clay, firing the vessels in wood-fuelled kilns where flame, ash and atmosphere created beautifully unpredictable effects. This method produced Shino’s signature character: a thick, milky glaze that can appear soft white, pale grey or delicately pink, often broken by warm iron marks or brushwork that blushes red where the kiln draws out the iron. The texture is equally distinctive, tiny pinholes known as “yuzu-skin” form as gases escape during firing, giving each piece a subtly pitted, organic surface. Its creation relies on generous glaze application and long, high-temperature firings, allowing heat and oxygen to interact with both glaze and clay. The finished ware feels at once soft and rugged. 

The glaze,  iron-rich composition, develops deep, earthy tones ranging from warm charcoal to subtle metallic sheens, creating a surface that feels both grounded and alive. The interaction of clay and glaze during firing produces natural variations in colour and texture, with soft ridges, gentle pooling, and tactile nuances that invite touch.

Comes with its own wooden box signed by the artist