Sōshū matcha bowl, front view, momiji tree motif in natural clay against deep blue Nanasai Tenmoku glaze

Sōshū matchawan with Tomobako paulownia wood box, Nunobiki Kiln

Sōshū matcha bowl tilted forward, momiji tree in negative space wrapping the body, unglazed amber foot ring

Bottom view of Sōshū matchawan showing unglazed foot ring in natural Shigaraki clay

Interior view of Sōshū matcha bowl, dark Nanasai Tenmoku glaze

Sōshū matcha bowl, side view, sparse momiji leaves in natural clay against a gradient blue Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, unglazed amber foot ring visible

Sōshū matchawan front view, full momiji tree motif

Sōshū matchawan, side view, momiji cluster in natural clay on blue Nanasai Tenmoku glaze

Sōshū matcha bowl, angled view showing momiji tree rising from base

Detail of a Japanese Ceramic matchawan with leaf patterns on a gradient background

Close-up of Nunobiki Kiln seal stamped on base of Sōshū matchawan

Close-up of momiji leaf motif in negative space on Sōshū matcha bowl

Sōshū matcha bowl tilted, full momiji tree and leaves in negative space, amber clay trunk rising from foot ring

Front view of Soshu pottery matcha bowl with tree design on a gradient background

Japanese Ceramic SoShu matcha bowl with leaf pattern on a dark background

Sōshū matcha bowl, front view, plain blue Nanasai Tenmoku glaze side, unglazed amber rim and foot ring

Nunobiki

Sōshū Matcha Bowl

A unique artisan piece — only this exact bowl exists

$640.00

✔ Express Delivery
Delivery estimated between 11 August and 17 August.
Our Shipping Policy

● Duties & taxes included

100% made in Japan, crafted with integrity and ethical labor practices.

Product Details

In the Box: 1 Handcrafted Matcha Bowl + Artisan-Signed Tomobako (Paulownia Wood Box)
Material: Glazed Pottery.
Technique: Nanasai Tenmoku Glaze + Negative-Space Decoration
Color Palette: Autumn Ember, Indigo Nightfall, Twilight Cerulean
Dimensions: Approx. Diameter 4.7" × Height 3.0" (120× 77 mm)
Capacity: Approx. 16.9 fl oz (500 ml)
Weight: Approx. 7.6 oz (215 g)
Origin: Nunobiki Kiln, Shiga, Japan

Exclusivity Note: This matcha bowl cannot be reordered or remade. Owning it means owning the only one that exists.

Shaped by hand at Nunobiki Kiln (Shiga, Japan), the Sōshū matchawan by Taro Kojima measures 4.7" in diameter and 3.0" in height, proportions suited to a standard chasen.

The design portrays a momiji (紅葉) tree , the Japanese symbol of autumn and a motif tied to Higashiomi.

The trunk rises from the unglazed foot, branching across the body in natural clay: warm amber set against a deep blue glaze. The tree is built in negative space. No ink, no paint, only clay left bare where the glaze was not applied.
A subtle relief forms where the two surfaces meet, shifting with the light. This is a singular object: one hand, one firing, unrepeatable.

A work of art that earns its place in everyday life. The Sōshū matcha bowl is made to be present in your most peaceful moments. Hand wash only.

More Information

Autumn Blue in Clay
The name Sōshū (蒼秋), joins two kanji: 蒼, a deep, living blue, and 秋, autumn. Together they evoke the particular quality of the autumn sky above Higashiomi, where the season arrives with unusual clarity and stillness.
Kojima-san gave that stillness a form. The momiji (紅葉) tree rises from the unglazed foot of the bowl in natural clay, branching outward while the blue glaze settles around it as open sky. The tree is not painted onto the surface. It is the surface, left bare where the glaze was not applied.
The result is not decoration. It is a moment of the season rendered permanent in clay and fire, shaped by one hand at Nunobiki Kiln.
A Ceremonial Unboxing
The Sōshū matcha bowl arrives in a Tomobako (共箱), a paulownia wood box historically associated in Japan with works of artistic significance.
The lid carries a handwritten inscription and the seal of Nunobiki Kiln, affirming origin and authorship.
More than packaging, the Tomobako marks the first moment of the experience: a considered opening that mirrors the care given to the bowl itself.

Care Guide

About your Sōshū Matcha Bowl
The Sōshū is a work of craft, but it is meant to be held, used, and lived with. Its character deepens through use, not through display. Bring it into your tea ritual, and care for it gently so it can age with you.

Maintenance

No Harsh Appliances: Keep away from the oven, microwave, and dishwasher.
Gentle Cleaning: After use, rinse with warm water and mild soap, using a soft sponge. Dry with a soft cloth.
Preservation Over Time: Avoid sudden temperature changes and do not leave liquids inside for extended periods.
Cared for with consistency, the glaze and clay will develop a quiet richness that only comes with time.

The Artist

Taro Kojima

Location: Higashiomi, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Technique: Nanasai Tenmoku
Tradition: Kyoto ware / Shigaraki ware

Born in 1940 in Miyagi Prefecture, Taro Kojima spent his formative years training across Kyoto and Shigaraki, absorbing two of Japan's most distinct ceramic traditions before establishing Nunobiki Kiln in Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture.

Nestled near the shores of Lake Biwa, the kiln is a family endeavor where monozukuri is not a philosophy but a daily rhythm. Working with Shigaraki clay, prized for its coarse grain and its deep affinity with fire, Kojima-san approaches each piece as a singular event.

His signature Nanasai Tenmoku glaze is applied entirely by hand. Through firing, it transforms into deep transparency and varied color, capable of rendering natural imagery directly onto the clay, making every piece genuinely unrepeatable.

Learn more

Love the product but....

still unsure about ordering from Japan?

We get it, ordering from overseas can feel uncertain.

That’s why we treat every order with personal care, just like we’re sending it to a friend.
From careful in-house packaging to full tracking and responsive support, Tsukushi's team is here to make sure your experience feels thoughtful, safe, and smooth; from Japan to your doorstep.

You’re not just buying a product, you’re trusting us with something meaningful.

We take that seriously.

In-house Packaging

Packed by hand with multiple protective layers for a safe arrival.

Safe Shipping

100% insured & tracked door to door. If it breaks, we handle everything.

Personal Support

A real person, always. Fast replies, no bots, no ticket system.

Sōshū Matcha Bowl FAQs

Does the Sōshū Matcha Bowl come with a wooden box?

Yes. The Sōshū arrives in its original Tomobako, a paulownia wood box made for this piece. The lid bears the artisan's seal and a hand-written inscription, confirming the bowl's origin and individuality.

Why choose a handcrafted matcha bowl like the Sōshū?

The Sōshū matchawan is shaped without a mold by master potter Taro Kojima. The glaze, the weight, the relief of the momiji motif: none of these can be reproduced exactly. What you receive is not a product from a range. It is a singular object with its own presence.

Can I use the Sōshū for matcha latte or other preparations?

Yes. While designed for whisked matcha, it works well for Koicha, Usucha, and matcha lattes. The open form allows the chasen to move freely and helps incorporate milk evenly. Warm the bowl before use and avoid scalding milk for best results.

What makes the Sōshū Matcha Bowl truly unrepeatable?

The Sōshū is hand-thrown and glazed individually at Nunobiki Kiln by Taro Kojima. The momiji motif is formed in negative space: the boundary between bare clay and glaze shifts with every piece. Combined with the Nanasai Tenmoku firing, no two bowls will ever carry the same landscape.

How should I care for the Sōshū Matcha Bowl?

Wash by hand with warm water and mild soap, using a soft sponge. Dry immediately with a soft cloth. Avoid the oven, microwave, and dishwasher, and do not leave liquids inside for long periods. With simple care, both the glaze and bare clay will develop character over time.

Do you ship the Sōshū Matcha Bowl to the USA?

Yes, we ship to the USA, Europe, and worldwide, with full tracking on every order. Each piece is packed carefully in-house, so your bowl arrives safely from Higashiomi to your door.

Is my order insured, and can I track it?

Yes. Every order is fully insured and trackable from the moment it leaves Japan. We handle packaging personally and offer responsive support, so your piece arrives as it should.