Product Description
Nankei Pottery: Kittate Tea Bowl - Black
The raw elegance of a living tea ritual.
The Kittate Tea Bowl is where raw earth meets refined ritual. Designed with a wide, open silhouette and smooth lip, this bowl is a celebration of the Kuro-neri (black clay) for which Nankei Pottery is renowned. It is a vessel that invites you to slow down, encouraging you to cup its warm, textured surface with both hands and breathe in the aroma of a perfectly whisked matcha. Beyond the tea ritual, the Kittate silhouette makes this a versatile tableware vessel for serving small side dishes, rice, or seasonal desserts.
Crafted in Yokkaichi, Japan, this bowl is fully unglazed, allowing the iron-rich Banko-yaki clay to interact directly with your tea from the very first sip.
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.
Its wide opening and natural clay body is ideal for appreciating the vibrant colour and fragrance of high-grade Matcha, or Hojicha. 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. 9.5cm (W) x 7.5cm (H)
Colour: Black clay.
Materials: Natural unglazed clay.
Finish: Unglazed exterior, unglazed interior.
Holds approximately 400ml when full, 250ml at 70% capacity.
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 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.
