Product Description
Nankei Pottery: Kittate Spouted Tea Bowl - Black
The architectural centerpiece of your tea table.
The Kittate Spouted Tea Bowl (or Katakuchi) is the bridge between preparation and service. Combining the bold, straight-sided silhouette of the Kittate form with a soft rim and delicate spout, this vessel is as much a functional tool as it is a piece of minimalist sculpture.
Crafted from Nankei’s signature Kuro-neri (black clay), this bowl is fully unglazed inside and out. It is designed for those who appreciate the raw, grounding energy of Banko-yaki and want a versatile vessel for whisking, steeping, or sharing.
Use it as a Yuzamashi (water cooler) to bring boiling water down to the perfect temperature for green tea, or as a whisking bowl for Matcha. The precision-carved spout ensures a controlled, elegant pour into smaller cups.
Because the interior is unglazed, the porous clay acts as a natural filter. The high iron content in the Kuro-neri clay adsorbs the tea's bitterness and astringency, leaving you with a noticeably smoother, sweeter, and more balanced cup.
The wide opening provides ample space for a bamboo whisk to move freely, making it an excellent choice for whisking and pouring matcha.
The matte, charcoal-black surface is incredibly smooth yet retains the organic "grip" of natural earth. Over time as a living ceramic, the unglazed surface will develop a "seasoned" patina—deepening in colour and gaining a subtle luster as it absorbs the character of the teas you brew and the touch of your hands.
Every bowl is hand-finished by master potters in a 13-step process, ensuring that while the design is minimalist, the craftsmanship is complex and enduring.
Details
Made in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, Japan
Measurements: approx. 11cm (W) x 10.5 x 7cm (H)
Colour: Black clay.
Materials: Natural unglazed clay.
Finish: Unglazed exterior, unglazed interior.
Holds approximately 460ml.
Uses: Whisking Matcha, Sharing Tea, Cooling Water.
Care: Hand wash only with mild and neutral detergent and soft sponge. Avoid abrasive scrubbers or harsh cleaners, as these can scratch the surface of the pottery. Allow the bowl to air-dry thoroughly before storing away.
About Nankei Pottery's unglazed cups and tablewares:
This product highlights the raw texture of the clay. While oil stains may occur more easily than on glazed items, they can typically be removed by applying a small amount of detergent and scrubbing with a brush.
Because these cups 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.
