Stoneware・Shino・5 Day Wood-fired

This bowl is hand-thrown with Taiwanese clay mixed with iron oxide particles. It was glazed in shino, then fired in a wood-burning kiln for 5 days.

The iron oxide particles express as flecks on the glazed surfaces of this bowl. Where the bowl is unglazed - at the base and on the foot - the same particles express as rust colored flecks on the gray-brown clay.

The undulating top edge of the bowl is darker from the natural iron content of the clay. Artist signature is stamped on the bowl's base. This is a large tea bowl, but proportionally comfortable.

About Tea Bowls

In Japan, tea bowls are traditionally used to drink whisked powdered tea (matcha). In Taiwan, they are often used to drink loose leaf tea. We've adopted this latter approach. It's quite simple - and works wonders on most of our teas.

Simply warm a tea bowl, add tea leaves, and add water. We suggest using 1 to 2 grams less tea than our normal recommended dosage, and filling the bowl 2/3 of the way to the top. Adding a slow steady stream of the water over the leaves also help the leaves settle to the bottom. Steep until leaves have just opened. Sip, and add more water if necessary.

Drinking tea from a bowl is both casual, and elegant. It's also a very personal and comforting experience.

Approximate dimensions: 85mm tall, 115mm diameter, 350ml volume・Artist: 廖國華