Irabo Kofuku Chawan

Kan Matsuzaki 

Kan Matsuzaki was born in Tokyo in 1977. His work as a Japanese ceramic artist is well known for its intricate glaze combinations and meticulous attention to surface detail.  

Kan is the son of the esteemed potter Ken Matsuzaki, a prominent figure in international ceramics, whose pieces are distinguished by their elaborate glaze applications and complex compositions, showcasing contemporary interpretations of classic forms. Kan shares the same kiln with his father when firing their works, capturing inspiration – directly and indirectly – from his work.  They still work and collaborate in the same kiln honing the techniques from generation to generation. 

Kan Matsuzaki has exhibited his work internationally, including at the Ippodo Gallery in New York, where his pieces have been featured in their curated shows. 

A kofuku chawan is a refined, intimate tea bowl that transforms the act of drinking matcha into a private, artful ritual. Smaller than a large ceremonial chawan, it is designed to be cradled rather than presented, drawing attention to texture, weight, and surface detail. Its reduced scale heightens its sculptural quality, allowing glaze, form, and gesture to be appreciated up close, much like a handheld work of art. Elegant yet understated, the kofuku chawan embodies quiet luxury—where craftsmanship, material, and restraint speak more powerfully than grandeur.

This kofuku chawan features earthy, natural tones and structured rectangular ridges reminiscent of a mountain landscape. The surface feels carved and grounded, with glaze settling into the recesses to emphasise depth and texture. Irabo chawan belong to the second generation of kōrai chawan created expressly for chanoyu, embodying a distinctly Japanese sensibility. Formed from coarse, iron-rich clay and finished with a thin earth-ash glaze, their subtly irregular ochre hues and tactile, stony surface are prized for their quiet refinement. 

Comes with its own wooden box signed by the artist

Size: 9cm D x 8cm H

Box: 12cm H x 13cm W x 13cm L