Cherry Blossom Chawan — Hand-Painted Tea Bowl
A hand-painted cherry blossom chawan (tea bowl), equally at home cradling matcha, sipping sake, or enjoying a small espresso. A versatile piece that moves easily between rituals.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS & CARE
- Dimensions: 2 1/4" tall, 3 1/4" wide at the rim (straight rim)
- Capacity: Approx. 6 oz
- White glaze inside, matcha green-brown glaze outside
- Food, dishwasher, and microwave safe
THE ARTISAN PROCESS & DESIGN
- Wheel-thrown & trimmed: Shaped on the potter's wheel, then turned over and trimmed once the rim is firm enough to hold its form.
- Stucco slip-transfer texture: Slip is applied to newsprint paper and transferred onto the pot, layering the slip to create a textured, stucco-like appearance reminiscent of an old building.
- Antiqued exterior & glaze: After the first firing, a black wash is applied to the outside for an antiqued look, followed by a white glaze inside and a matcha green-brown glaze outside — this glaze naturally varies across the surface based on application.
- Hand-painted cherry blossom motif: After the wash, the cherry blossom design is hand-painted directly onto the clay and left intentionally unglazed for a rich, tactile finish.
- Firing & hand-sanded finish: Fired a second and final time, then the exterior around the cherry blossoms and foot is wet-sanded by hand for a smooth, refined finish.
Made by hand in small batches in my Denver studio — no AI, no mass production, just one potter and a paintbrush.