Product Description
Nankei Pottery: Kittate Tea Bowl — Sand
Grounded elegance in every steep.
The Kittate Tea Bowl is a study in architectural simplicity. Defined by its "Kittate" (straight-sided) profile, this bowl offers a clean, modern silhouette that honours the raw texture of the earth. In the Sand (Suna-neri) finish, the bowl takes on the appearance of weathered stone or a sun-drenched riverbed, providing a calm, neutral backdrop for the vibrant greens of Japanese matcha.
True to the Nankei tradition, this bowl is fully unglazed on both the interior and exterior, turning every tea session into a sensory dialogue between the clay and tea. Beyond the tea ritual, the Kittate silhouette makes this a versatile tableware vessel for serving small side dishes, rice, or seasonal desserts.
The porous, iron-rich Suna-neri clay is a natural flavour enhancer. Because the interior is unglazed, the clay actively adsorbs the tea’s harsher tannins, noticeably softening the astringency and highlighting the delicate flavours of teas.
The sand clay is celebrated for its tactile, matte texture. 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: Sand 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 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.
