Handmade Chawan by Kagao Shūnin - Japanese Matcha Bowl | RURIKON

The Japanese tea ceremony has long been a meeting place for pottery, painting and Zen philosophy. This handcrafted chawan brings those traditions together through the artwork of Kagao Shūnin (加賀尾秀忍), a Buddhist monk from Okayama whose brushwork reflects a lifetime devoted to contemplation and cultural practice.

Crafted by Nandaibō-gama (南大坊窯), the bowl is hand-painted with iris, one of Japan's classic seasonal motifs that marks the arrival of early summer. The vivid indigo blossoms flow naturally across the warm earthen body, while accompanying calligraphy transforms the vessel into both a tea bowl and a work of artistic expression.

The softly rounded form rests comfortably in the hands, and the light-toned interior beautifully frames the vibrant green of whisked matcha. Every brushstroke, every variation in the glaze and every subtle irregularity reflects the individuality of the handmade process. No two bowls are ever identical.

Created through the collaboration of kiln and monk, this chawan is more than a vessel for tea. It is an expression of Japanese tea culture, where ceramics, painting and the changing seasons exist in harmony.

Collection Notes

• Hand-painted by Buddhist monk Kagao Shūnin (加賀尾秀忍)
• Crafted at Nandaibō-gama (南大坊窯)
• Decorated with a traditional iris motif celebrating early summer
• Original calligraphy applied by hand
• Individually handcrafted
• A collectible ceramic work that combines pottery, painting and Buddhist aesthetics

Product Details

+ Dimension: Approx. D105mm x H85mm

+ Region: Okayama, Japan

+ Kiln: Nandaibō-gama (南大坊窯)

+ Artist: Kagao Shūnin (加賀尾秀忍)

+ Material: Clay

About Kagao Shūnin 

Kagao Shūnin (加賀尾秀忍) was a Buddhist monk from Okayama Prefecture, remembered for both his religious life and his humanitarian service. His painted tea bowls reflect the close relationship between Japanese tea culture and Buddhist art, where a simple vessel becomes a medium for seasonal appreciation, calligraphy and quiet reflection.