White Sennari Gourds Kiyomizu-yaki Chawan

This classy Kiyomizu-yaki chawan (matcha bowl) is made in the classic wan-nari shape and features an ivory glaze, painstakingly hand-decorated with dozens of small, interlocking sennari-hyōtan (千成瓢箪 - gourds) made of white glaze. In between the gourds, the space is filled by more white glaze applied as tiny white dots. The hand-painted glaze is raised, giving a dimensional, tactile presence to the surface of the bowl. From a distance, the effect is subtle, but in the hand it is clear how much work and care was put into the decoration. The inside is left clear, allowing the vibrant colour of matcha to shine against the warm white of the glaze.

This chawan was made by Eyuki Kiln (恵雪窯).