Wood-fired stoneware, cobalt and shino・325ml

Each Song Jin tea bowl is meticulously hand-crafted by the artist from stoneware, cobalt, shino and wood-fire to create a form that is dramatically modern.

The principle underlying Song Jin's tea bowls is the notion that a perfectly round circle does not necessarily make a perfect circle. "A perfect circle takes many forms."

Each bowl is first hand-thrown, then shaped by hand. Once air dried, the piece is painted with layers of cobalt and shino - with each preceding layer allowed to air dried before more layers are applied. The end result is then fired in a wood kiln for 7 days. Two months later, the piece is re-fired for another 7 days.

This long firing produces a jade like exterior, with both depth and sheen. No two bowls are the same.

Approximate dimensions: 75mm tall, 110mm diameter

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.