Crescent Moon Upon the Waves - Kyo-yaki Chawan

This elegant Kyo-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) is a replica of Nonomura Ninsei's famous Cresent Moon Upon the Waves (波に三日月) tea bowl. Faithfully reproducing the original's painted design, this bowl is decorated with a thin crescent moon in gold behind crashing ocean waves in blue and turquoise. Though simple by Kyo-yaki standards, the dynamic composition of this design has captivated potters for over three hundred years.

Nonomura Ninsei (野々村仁清) is known for perfecting overglaze painting in Kyoto in the late 1600s, giving rise to modern styles of Kyo-yaki. Today, some of his works are regarded as national treasures.

This chawan was made specially for us by Eikō Miyaji (宮地英香), a workshop known for producing affordable and accessible iro-e and seasonal Kyo-yaki chawan, helping spread tea and tea culture.