"Kokumi" Japanese Handmade Matcha Bowl

Kokumi Mino-yaki Matcha Chawan — Gifu, Japan

The traditional Japanese matcha bowl, or chawan, is designed around the movement of the bamboo whisk. This bowl has a wide opening with a broader, slightly flatter interior base, giving the chasen more room to move quickly back and forth without constantly striking the sides of the bowl.

That flatter bottom is especially useful for preparing usucha, or thin matcha. It creates a larger whisking surface, making it easier to evenly combine the matcha and water and build a smooth layer of fine foam. The gently curved walls then help contain the tea while still leaving plenty of space for comfortable whisking. For anyone preparing matcha regularly, the shape of the bowl is just as important as its appearance.

This handcrafted chawan is made in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, home of Mino-yaki (美濃焼)—one of Japan's most important ceramic traditions, with more than 1,000 years of history. Mino ware is particularly known for the enormous variety of forms, glazes, and decorative techniques developed by generations of potters in the region.

The bowl features expressive hand-painted Japanese calligraphy contrasted against deep green glaze drips flowing naturally across the surface. Together they create a wabi-sabi composition that feels simple, spontaneous, and full of character. Natural variations in the brushwork and glaze mean each bowl is slightly different.

We've named this bowl “Kokumi.” In Japanese food culture, kokumi describes a sense of richness, depth, and lingering fullness rather than one particular flavor. The name feels fitting here—the deep green glaze recalls freshly whisked matcha, while the layered glaze and flowing calligraphy give the bowl a visual depth that becomes more noticeable the longer you use it.

A beautiful chawan should not only look good on the shelf. Its shape should make preparing matcha easier, and Kokumi's wide opening and flatter whisking surface make it particularly well suited for a smooth, everyday bowl of matcha.

Approx. 5" D × 3.25" H