Yūkaede matcha bowl, natural light showing momiji branch descending across Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, Taro Kojima, Japan

Yūkaede matcha bowl with Tomobako paulownia wood box, hand-calligraphed lid and artist seal, Nunobiki Kiln, Japan

Yūkaede matcha bowl, full front view, cascading momiji decoration encircling the bowl, Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, Nunobiki Kiln

Yūkaede matcha bowl, side and base view showing momiji decoration and natural clay foot, Taro Kojima, Nunobiki Kiln

Yūkaede matcha bowl inverted, showing unglazed Shigaraki clay base, hand-finished foot ring and Taro Kojima seal

Interior view of Yūkaede matcha bowl, deep Nanasai Tenmoku glaze with momiji decoration on outer wall, Nunobiki Kiln

Detail of Yūkaede matcha bowl, momiji maple branch in negative-space natural clay against Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, Nunobiki Kiln

Yūkaede matcha bowl, momiji leaves in unglazed natural clay relief against Autumn Sienna Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, Japan

Yūkaede matcha bowl, full side view, cascading momiji branch in natural clay on Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, Nunobiki Kiln

Yūkaede matcha bowl, three-quarter view showing glaze depth and delicate momiji sprig in negative-space clay, Nunobiki Kiln

Yūkaede matcha bowl, opposite side view, single momiji sprig in natural clay on Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, Nunobiki Kiln

Yūkaede matcha bowl, angled view revealing open rim and momiji leaves spreading across Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, Nunobiki Kiln

Nunobiki

Yūkaede Matcha Bowl

A unique artisan piece — only this exact bowl exists

¥92,000

✔ Express Delivery
Delivery estimated between 12 August and 18 August.
Our Shipping Policy

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 Sienna, Harvest Bronze
Dimensions: Approx. Diameter 4.7" × Height 3.0" (120× 77 mm)
Capacity: Approx. 16.9 fl oz (500 ml)
Weight: Approx. 9.9 oz (280 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.

Crafted by master potter Taro Kojima at Nunobiki Kiln in Shiga, the Yūkaede matcha bowl is proportioned for the chasen at 120 mm diameter and 77 mm height; balanced for both form and function.

The Nanasai Tenmoku glaze establishes an Autumn Sienna base. Through negative-space decoration, momiji branches surface where glaze is withheld; natural clay glows golden, forming relief against the background. Each firing produces singular results.

Surface texture reveals the kiln's influence, with delicate variation on the rim. Slight asymmetry testifies to hand-finishing, not molded uniformity. This embodies wabi-sabi: beauty within imperfection.

The wide opening invites unhurried whisking; the bowl's weight settles naturally in both hands. Use it daily for matchawan preparation, and hand wash only to protect its character over time.

More Information

Autumn at Dusk in Clay
The name Yūkaede (夕楓) joins two kanji: 夕, the last light of evening, and 楓, the maple tree. Together they evoke the particular stillness of a late autumn dusk above Higashiomi, when momiji (紅葉) leaves catch the fading warmth of the day before nightfall. Kojima-san gave that fleeting moment a form. The branches spread across the bowl, each leaf emerging where the glaze was withheld, revealing the natural clay beneath. The result is not decoration. It is an autumn evening held permanent in clay and fire, shaped by hand at Nunobiki Kiln.
A Box with Meaning
The Yūkaede matcha bowl arrives in a Tomobako (共箱), a paulownia wood box carrying deep roots in Japanese craft tradition, historically used to house works of lasting value.
The lid bears Kojima-san's personal seal and his wife's handwritten calligraphy, quietly marking the bowl's origin and confirming its individuality before it is even lifted from the box.
More than a container, the Tomobako frames the first encounter with the piece, extending the care of Nunobiki Kiln into the hands of the person who receives it.

Care Guide

About your Yūkaede Matcha Bowl
Even as an artisanal work, this matcha bowl is made to be used and appreciated in daily life, not reserved for display.
Bring it into your tea ritual, and treat it with gentle care so its character can deepen naturally over time.

Maintenance

No Harsh Appliances: Keep the bowl away from the oven, microwave, and dishwasher.
Gentle Cleaning: After each use, rinse with warm water and a small amount of mild soap, using a soft sponge. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Preservation Over Time: Avoid sudden temperature changes and do not leave liquids inside for extended periods.
With consistent, simple care, the glaze will mature gracefully, adding depth to the bowl's natural character.

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

Yūkaede matcha bowl, full momiji branch pattern in negative-space clay against deep Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, Nunobiki Kiln

Close-up of Yūkaede matcha bowl foot ring, Taro Kojima's impressed seal on natural Shigaraki clay.

Close-up of Yūkaede matcha bowl, momiji maple leaves in natural clay against Nanasai Tenmoku brown glaze

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

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Yūkaede Matcha Bowl FAQs

Does the Yūkaede Matcha Bowl come with its original wooden box?

Yes. The Yūkaede arrives with its traditional Tomobako, a paulownia wood box that is part of the piece itself.
The lid carries Kojima-san's personal seal and his wife's handwritten calligraphy, affirming the bowl's origin and its individuality.

Why choose a handcrafted matcha bowl like the Yūkaede over a mass-produced one?

A handcrafted matchawan like the Yūkaede carries something a factory piece cannot replicate: the presence of the person who made it.
Subtle differences in glaze, weight, and surface texture make each bowl its own object.
That individuality is not a flaw. It is the point.

Can I use the Yūkaede Matcha Bowl for preparations other than matcha?

Yes. While the Yūkaede is designed with whisked matcha in mind, its open form and generous capacity make it equally suited for koicha, usucha, and matcha lattes.
For best results, warm the bowl beforehand and avoid extremely hot milk.

Why is the Yūkaede Matcha Bowl truly one of a kind?

The Yūkaede is a single, unrepeatable object. Thrown and glazed by hand at Nunobiki Kiln with no mold, the momiji pattern emerges through negative-space decoration, where natural clay is revealed rather than painted. When it left the kiln, it became what it is now. There is no other one like it, and there never will be.

How should I care for the Yūkaede Matcha Bowl?

Hand wash with warm water and mild soap, using a soft sponge, and dry with a soft cloth after each use.
Avoid the oven, microwave, and dishwasher, and do not leave liquids inside for long periods.
Treated with simple, consistent care, the glaze will develop quietly and beautifully over time.

Do you ship the Yūkaede Matcha Bowl internationally?

Yes. We ship to the USA, Europe, and destinations worldwide.
Every order leaves Japan with full tracking, packed with personal attention so your piece arrives safely and in perfect condition.

Is my order insured and fully trackable from Japan to my door?

Yes. Every shipment is insured and tracked from the moment it leaves Tsukushi until it reaches you.
Our support team is available throughout, so your experience from Japan to your doorstep feels secure and smooth.