A moment of calm and color in your busy everyday life.
ZENLAB proudly presents the "Unkin" tea bowl from Zouhougama, a kiln in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture, where the traditions of the area are still alive and well. As the name suggests, this is a time-honored design passed down in the tea ceremony, with cherry blossoms in full bloom representing "white clouds" and colorful autumn leaves representing "brocade."
This tea bowl, which embodies the ancient aesthetic sense that "the cherry blossoms of Mt. Yoshino are like clouds, and the autumn leaves of the Tatsuta River are like brocade," delicately and gorgeously expresses the changing seasons of Japan. The cherry blossoms that herald the arrival of spring and the autumn leaves that adorn the depths of autumn are beautifully harmonized in one vessel. This has a special significance as an "auspicious pattern that can be used all year round," making it a favorite design for tea ceremonies.
Each tea bowl is meticulously crafted by a skilled artisan, featuring a rich color that changes expression depending on the angle from which it is viewed, and a warm texture that feels comfortable in the hand. The simple texture created by the high-quality clay and the contrast created by the vibrant red make this a truly one-of-a-kind work of art. The gentle color of the interior, against which the green of the matcha stands out, elevates each cup of tea to an even more enriching experience. The powerful foot on the bottom gives it a sense of stability and weight, and also evokes the spirituality of the tea ceremony.
