While there are many variations of this, the hallmark of the Shippo pattern is a series of overlapping circles. This bowl’s designer has put their own spin on this traditional pattern by breaking apart, filling in and merging some of the circles in the pattern. Additionally, the artist cleverly uses a variety of other classic patterns to decorate the ‘filled-in’ spaces. A simple, clear, crackle-glaze covers the entire bowl, creating the perfect backdrop for the gold-outlined vibrant enamel colors used in the decoration. It also provides a great environment for showing off the beauty of well-prepared, whisked Matcha.
This striking bowl, which is a slightly smaller size (4.15 inches wide & 2.75 inches tall), is easy to hold and a wonder to behold.
Kiyomizu or Kiyo-yaki pottery is produced in and around the city of Kyoto, Japan. Kiyomizu pottery traces its origins to the 5th century. At one time, potters and their kilns dotted the streets around the Kiyomizu-dera Temple on the outskirts of Kyoto. Today many high-quality pottery shops remain in this section of town, located on the streets lining the hill up to the temple, but the potters have moved out of the city to nearby Yamashina where there is more room for their workshops. The style and appearance of Kiyomizu pottery has evolved and changed over many centuries, first adding vivid colors during the Muromachi period (1338-1573), and then adding over-glazing techniques to give an added luster to items, post-firing.
NOTE: Each of these matcha bowls features this glaze in the colors shown. Bear in mind that each individual tea bowl will be its own unique expression of this glaze/color palette.