Matcha Tea bowls

Matcha bowls – centuries-old tradition from Japan

Matcha bowls are a an indispensable component in the preparation of Matcha Tea and really bring out the delicate taste of the tea. Matcha bowls have a long tradition in Japan and have been made from ceramic in a complex firing process for many centuries. The often uneven and slightly wavy edge of the matcha bowl is one of its special features and is reminiscent of the mountainous landscape of Japan. The unusual shapes and color gradients of the Matcha bowls also reflect the beauty of natural imperfection, which is called Wabi Sabi in Japan.

The Matcha Tea Bowl (Japanese: Chawan)

The Matcha Tea Bowl (Japanese: Chawan) is next to the Matcha broom (Japanese: Chasen) and of course the Matcha Tea itself, the central part of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The Matcha Tea Because of its special aesthetics, long tradition and artful workmanship, bowls are the most expensive tea utensil alongside tea tins (Japanese: Natsume). Matcha Tea Bowls by well-known Japanese master potters therefore often fetch prices of several thousand euros in Japan!

Japanese tea bowls, lovingly handcrafted

In our range you will find a variety of Japanese tea bowls that differ in their shape, design and of course in their color. A large number of our Japanese tea bowls are loving handwork, where the bowls are hand-formed and hand-glazed, making each bowl an individual work of art and a unique piece.

Compared to other tea cups, Matcha bowls are slightly thicker-walled, which means the tea does not cool down as quickly and the temperature of the Matcha tea is kept constant for longer. Matcha bowls also have a flat bowl base, which means the matcha powder can be optimally whipped with a matcha whisk.

Matcha bowls from Japan - The beauty of natural imperfection

They are part of the traditional preparation of matcha tea like a delicate porcelain cup is part of British tea: a stylish matcha bowl should be made into one Matcha Tea taste even better than from a conventional tea cup. At first glance they seem rather inconspicuous, but upon closer inspection they seem to be made for the enjoyment of the drink. So what makes a matcha bowl so special?

Matcha bowls are used for traditional preparation

According to traditional tradition, they are the central utensil in the tea ceremony, i.e. the traditional way of preparing matcha tea Matcha Powder, according to tradition, during the tea ceremony the guest should admire or at least ask questions about the origin of the bowl. To this day, the matcha bowl is usually the most expensive utensil in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Depending on how it is made and decorated, its price can be up to several thousand euros.

To this day, matcha bowls are differentiated according to their style. Tea bowls are particularly valuable Raku-Stil. This style dates back to the late 16th century and was developed in collaboration by a roof tile master and a tea master. According to tradition, the first examples in this style were not formed on a potter's wheel, but were made entirely by hand. This resulted in a very irregular and unique vessel that always looked different. The matcha peel of this type was fired at a temperature of around one thousand degrees.

Immediately after firing, they were taken out of the kiln and sealed with other combustible materials. These substances, such as hay or leaves, drew oxygen from the air, causing chemical reactions. They were for that Unique appearance of each individual matcha bowl responsible. A Raku-style chawan is thicker than most other bowls. The look is almost rustic and always individual. The techniques of shaping and firing make each chawan unique, like there is no other.

Matcha bowls are different from other tea bowls or cups

Of course, the shape is particularly striking. The The bottom of the bowl is usually formed from a straight surface, and the opening at the top is noticeably large. This makes the tea easier to prepare. The matcha powder is much easier to whip with a bamboo whisk in a large matcha bowl than in a conventional tea bowl. The matcha powder is distributed optimally in the water, which leads to the full development of the aroma.

The traditional matcha bowl is a reflection of the Wabi Says. This is a term that comes from Japan and refers to the natural imperfection and the resulting beauty. The edge of the tea bowl is slightly irregular in shape.

These waves are intended to remind us of the mountainous landscape in Japan and thus the origin of tea. A traditional firing process is used to make this tea bowl. This burning process is quite complex, but contributes to the robust quality afterwards. The thick wall is also an important distinguishing feature compared to conventional tea bowls.

This prevents the tea from cooling down too quickly and the temperature of the tea remains constant for longer, which allows you to enjoy the matcha tea for a long time.

According to belief, handmade originals have at least one distinctive or very conspicuous spot under the matcha bowls. This page is called that "Face" of the teacup designated. The face can consist of a striking gradient of colors, a visible unevenness or a specific pattern of tone. According to tradition, when preparing the matcha bowl, you should turn it so that the face is facing the person. If you want to hand the tea bowl to the guest, your face should point towards the guest. If you drink from the tea bowl, you should turn your face away from yourself.

Look forward to a special variety of shapes

You can order your matcha bowl from Matcha Magic, a special one awaits you Variety of shapes and designs. Most of our bowls were first formed by hand and then glazed by hand. This creates very different patterns and color gradients. They look different on each bowl, resulting in a variety distinctive unique pieces. Our handmade matcha bowls also impress with their variety of shapes:

• One-Form: The Matcha bowl is made from natural clay on a potter's wheel in the classic Wan shape, making it special bauchige Form This means that the bowl nestles particularly nicely in the palms of your hands when drinking. Our “Sakai” bowl is a beautiful example of this genre and is available from us in many different colors.

• Dojime-Form: Matcha bowls in the dojime shape impress with their asymmetrical shapes. The outer wall and the edge of the shell are irregularly shaped (Wabi Says), which makes this type of bowl particularly beautiful and unique. Beautiful examples of the dojime shape are our matcha bowls “Aichi”, “Yokkaichi” and “Kashiwa”.

• Ido-Form: In contrast to the above bowl shapes, bowls in the “Ido shape” become more and more expansive towards the top. In addition, bowls in the “Ido shape” have a slightly smaller bowl base, which makes them particularly eye-catching Trapezform Do you like this unusual shape? Then we recommend our bowls “Nara” and “Mitu” to you.

Matcha bowls and their traditional colors

Traditional matcha bowls come in many colors. Some potters have found their own style and have developed new color combinations. Over time, new effects and colors emerged from their glazes, resulting in unmistakable unique pieces.

Red, green, blue and white are typical colors for a matcha bowl. The inside can, for example, be white, which should show off the color of the tea particularly well. If the production takes place in a wood-fired kiln, the colors are particularly varied. For example, a combination of dark brown on the outside and bright red on the inside or a green-blue tone on the outside, which is supposed to be reminiscent of the sea, is common. If a chawan has been hardened in a wood kiln, the ash can leave visible marks on the surface, creating an impressive grain. The wide opening and the thick cup wall are important for optimal enjoyment, while the appearance is particularly appealing to the eye.

Features of Japanese matcha bowls at a glance:

• Flat bowl base and strikingly large opening
• Special feel with soft, wavy and asymmetrical structures
• Different shapes, patterns and color gradients depending on origin and style
• Irregularly shaped bowl rim, reminiscent of the mountainous landscape of Japan
• Thick outer wall that prevents the tea from cooling down quickly

Other utensils for the Matcha Tea You can find the preparation here Matcha accessories.