Product Description

This Matcha Tea bowl is a product made from a pottery. The pottery known as Shigaraki-yaki comes from Shigaraki Town and its surrounding area in the south of Shiga Prefecture. It has a long history and commercial pottery started in Shigaraki some time around the 13th century. Shigaraki has long specialized in larger items: since the clay produced in the area is high quality and resilient, it is well suited to large items. Initially, items such as large storage vessels and bowls for the home were made. Originally no glaze was used; instead, the potters relied on the natural properties of the clay. During firing the iron in the clay, it was oxidized and produced a red coloring and the heat drew out a greenish vitreous substance from the clay, which left an interesting natural glaze on the surface. These two features have given Shigaraki-yaki its characteristic and distinctive appearance. In the 16th century the attractiveness of this simplicity caught the attention of the leading tea masters of the time. As a result, a large number of superb-quality tea cups and utensils have been masterfully created, and the town gained a national reputation for its wares. From the 17th century glazing and coloring techniques were introduced, and production shifted towards various kinds of ceramic items for daily use. Today a wide variety of products in different sizes and designs are manufactured, including household items such as flower vases and tableware, and other products like tiles, pots and planters.