Karatsu Matcha Tea Bowl – Black & White

The Karatsu Tea Bowl, complete with its tomobako (the bespoke wooden box), is one of the matcha tea lover's most desirable matcha tea bowls.

During 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. 

Karatsu 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.

One 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. 

This 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.

The 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. 

Before you start using your Karatsu ware tea bowl:

 First soak it in cold water for about 5 minutes to absorb enough water, then – after wiping it off – it is ready for use.

 Unlike earthenware, Karatsu ware is porous and highly absorbent, so please dry it thoroughly to prevent any mould forming. 

 Karatsu ware is not suitable for use in a dishwasher, oven or microwave.