Handcrafted Japanese Matcha Bowl.
The Shiro-hake Tenmoku. One brushstroke. Yours alone.
No two leave the kiln the same.
This bowl is made at Yamaki Kiln in Mizunami, Gifu — a studio with 98 years of Mino-yaki tradition. The white brushstroke you see is painted by hand onto a deep Tenmoku glaze. One movement. One craftsman. The mark on your bowl has never existed before.
Fired at 1,300°C. Shaped for warmth in both hands. Made for the matcha ritual you come back to every morning.
The Kiln Behind the Bowl
Yamaki Kiln has operated in Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture since 1926. Their tradition is Mino-yaki — a ceramic style recognised as one of Japan's great regional kiln traditions for over 400 years.
This is not just decorative pottery. It is functional craft, made for the tea ceremony. Every bowl that leaves the kiln has been shaped, glazed, and fired by artisans who have spent their lives learning this craft and appreciating this discipline.
When you hold this bowl, you hold 98 years of that practice.
The Shiro-hake Technique
Shiro-hake means 'white brushstroke.' Tenmoku is the deep, ebony-toned glaze beneath it.
Each white stroke is applied by hand — a single movement across the fired surface, expressing what Japanese craftsmen call the dynamic energy of the tea spirit. Since the white stroke is hand-painted by Japanese craftsmen, no two bowls are exactly the same and the brushstroke on your bowl exists nowhere else in the world.
Every bowl is one-of-a-kind. Your bowl carries a brushstroke that has never existed before and will never exist again. Each bowl is truly a unique piece of Japanese art, making this a gift that cannot be replicated.
Fired at 1,300°C
At 1,300°C, the clay vitrifies — fusing into a dense, non-porous surface that holds heat evenly and resists micro-cracking from daily use. The result is a bowl built to last. Not as a display piece but as a daily vessel that deepens with use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mino-yaki?
Mino-yaki is a ceramic tradition from Gifu Prefecture, Japan, with over 400 years of history and one of Japan's most significant regional kiln styles. Namisan sources exclusively from Yamaki Kiln in Mizunami, Gifu — a studio with 98 years of continuous Mino-yaki practice.
What is the Shiro-hake Tenmoku technique?
Shiro-hake means 'white brushstroke.' A craftsman at Yamaki Kiln applies a single sweep of white glaze by hand over a deep Tenmoku (ebony) base. Because the stroke is hand-painted, no two bowls are identical — each carries a mark that exists nowhere else in the world.
Why is the bowl fired at 1,300°C?
High-temperature firing at 1,300°C causes the clay to vitrify — fusing into a dense, non-porous surface. This makes the bowl strong enough for daily use, resistant to micro-cracking, and capable of holding heat evenly throughout your matcha preparation.
Will my bowl look exactly like the photo?
No, and that is intentional. The white brushstroke is hand-painted by a craftsman, meaning every bowl carries a slightly different mark. The bowl you receive is genuinely one-of-a-kind. This is the nature of the Shiro-hake technique, not a quality variation.
How do I care for my Mino-yaki bowl?
Hand wash only with cold or lukewarm water. No dishwasher — thermal shock can crack the glaze over time. Dry immediately with a soft cloth. The bowl may develop a slight patina with daily use. This is considered natural and desirable in Japanese ceramic tradition.
Is this bowl suitable for daily use?
Yes. The 1,300°C firing makes this bowl genuinely durable for daily matcha preparation — not just decorative pottery. Use it every morning. The glaze deepens with use, not age.
What size is the bowl?
11.8cm W x 7.0 cm H. Full capacity: 500ml (16.9 oz)
Intentionally sized for standard usucha preparation — wide enough to whisk freely with a Chasen, deep enough to prevent splashing.
