A black Japanese spouted matcha bowl (katakuchi), handmade by Nankei Pottery in Yokkaichi from unglazed Banko-yaki clay. The straight-sided Kittate form, soft rim and carved spout make it a whisking bowl for matcha, a yuzamashi for cooling boiled water to the right temperature for green tea, and a vessel for sharing, with a controlled pour into smaller cups.
The wide opening gives a bamboo whisk plenty of room to move. Left unglazed inside and out, the iron-rich Kuro-neri clay absorbs the tea's bitterness and astringency for a smoother, sweeter, more balanced cup. Its matte charcoal-black surface is smooth yet keeps the natural grip of the earth, and develops a seasoned patina over time. Each bowl is hand-finished by master potters in a 13-step process.
Also available in sand.
Details
- Maker: Nankei Pottery
- Material: natural unglazed clay
- Measurements: approx. 11 × 10.5 cm wide × 7 cm high
- Capacity: approx. 460ml
- Colour: black clay (Kuro-neri)
- Finish: unglazed inside and out
- As each piece is handcrafted, bowls may differ slightly from piece to piece
- Uses: whisking matcha, sharing tea, cooling water
- Made in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, Japan
Explore more Nankei Pottery Japanese ceramics.
Care: Hand wash only with a mild, neutral detergent and a soft sponge; avoid abrasive scrubbers or harsh cleaners. Air-dry thoroughly before storing.
As this piece is unglazed, oil stains can occur more easily than on glazed ceramics, but they can usually be removed with a little detergent and a brush.
Because these bowls are unglazed and crafted from raw, mineral-rich earth, you may notice subtle orange blushes or tiny dark iron spots on the surface. These are not defects, but the natural mineral colours of the clay reacting to the high heat of the kiln. Each piece is a unique record of its firing, carrying the honest fingerprints of the Japanese landscape.
