Hanshi Hakeme Asagao-gata Senchawan - 60ml

This elegant senchawan (small teacup for sencha) is thrown in an open asagao-gata (morning glory/conical) shape from Asahiyaki’s signature hanshi (燔師) clay, dug from Shirakawa and Oriiyama in and around Uji. Coated in a simple transparent glaze, the warm tones, hue gradients, and spots all come from the clay itself as it is rapidly heated to around 1400°C in Asahiyaki’s wood-fired climbing kiln. The outside is decorated with a simple brushstroke of slip (liquid clay), a technique known as hakeme.

The morning glory shape is favoured in Uji where the tea traditionally has a lighter colour, as the wide lip allows for quicker cooling of the tea and for easy drinking, while the narrowing of the shape towards the foot concentrates the tea, making the colour of the tea easier to see.

Before using it for the first time, it is recommended to soak the piece in water for 10 minutes. This will dislodge any dust from the clay as well as slow down the natural development of patina in the glaze.

This teacup was made by the skilled craftsmen at the Asahiyaki studio and wood-fired in their climbing kiln.