{"product_id":"black-raku-matcha-bowl","title":"Black Raku Pottery Chawan Matcha Bowl by Shuraku","description":"\u003ch3\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003egenuine Raku pottery matcha bowl\u003c\/strong\u003e is presented in a custom-made wooden box, signed by the artist, making a truly unique gift for any matcha lover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Raku matcha bowl has been handcrafted by Hideki Nishijima from Shuraku kiln, who opened his own kiln in 1972. Chawan is the ideal vessel for serving matcha powdered tea, whether it’s during a tea ceremony, or simply taking a \u003cstrong\u003emeditative moment at home\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Choose a Raku Pottery Matcha Bowl?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRaku ware (楽焼, raku-yaki) is perhaps the quintessential Japanese pottery. An indispensable centerpiece of the Japanese tea ceremony, this ceramic art form has been highly appreciated by tea masters for its simplicity and austerity. With a history stretching back to 1580, Raku pottery remains today the most sought-after Japanese ceramics, and an unparalleled example of the \u003cstrong\u003ewabi-sabi aesthetic.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHand-sculpted\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than thrown on a potter’s wheel, Raku matcha bowls are molded using the tezukune technique, \u003cstrong\u003ewith the palms of the hand\u003c\/strong\u003e. A connection is then created between the master potter, who manually shaped the bowl, and the tea ceremony participant who holds it in their hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen dry, the rough clay is trimmed with an iron or bamboo scraper and covered with a translucent or opaque black glaze. In the traditional Japanese method, the bowls are briefly fired at low temperatures, taken out from the hot kiln at the peak of the firing, and allowed to cool in the open air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn in Kumamoto in 1948, Hideki Nishijima opened his own kiln, named Shuraku, in 1972. His works are \u003cstrong\u003ehumble and warm\u003c\/strong\u003e, with distinct wabi-sabi sensibility. Nishijima has participated in many solo and group exhibitions and has been recognized as a regular member of the Japan Crafts Association since 2000.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Care for Your Raku Pottery Matcha Bowl\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRaku ware is known for its rough surface, which can be quite porous. \u003cstrong\u003eBefore you first use\u003c\/strong\u003e your matcha bowl, it is recommended to \u003cem\u003emedome\u003c\/em\u003e (“\u003cem\u003efill the eyes\u003c\/em\u003e”) of your bowl. To do this, stir a cup of rice in some lukewarm water until the rice starch turns the water cloudy. Submerge your bowl in this starchy water to allow the rice powder to soak into the miniscule holes in the clay. After about 15 minutes, remove your bowl, give it a quick rinse, a thorough dry, and let it sit for 24 hours or so for the starch to set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo \u003cstrong\u003eclean your bowl\u003c\/strong\u003e, wash in warm water, avoiding soap unless necessary. Do not place your bowl in the dishwasher, and do not leave soaking. Be sure to dry the bowl thoroughly before putting it away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRaku bowls are made from soft absorbent clay, so avoid using your bowl for strong-smelling or acidic foods, and be careful not to scratch with knives and other metal tools. .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMatcha bowl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes custom-made wooden box, signed by the artist\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandmade in Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree gift-wrapping\u003c\/strong\u003e in Japanese furoshiki cloth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRaku ware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAs each handmade product is unique, there will be differences in size, color, and pattern from the photographs above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: Ø 4½” (12cm), height 3” (8cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct code: 95806BK\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Japan Objects Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44485450137882,"sku":"95806BK","price":152.94,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2424\/2829\/products\/95806BK-Black-Raku-Bowl-Box.jpg?v=1676693074","url":"https:\/\/japanobjecsv.com\/products\/black-raku-matcha-bowl","provider":"Japan Objects Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}