Types of Japanese Tea Bowls

In a tea ceremony gathering, one of the important pleasures is observing what kind of matcha bowls are used. Famous bowls, known as “meibutsu” (masterpieces), were once considered so valuable by samurai and tea practitioners that they were said to be worth as much as an entire castle. Even today, these “meibutsu” bowls are preserved in museums and private collections and carefully passed down through generations. By seeing many different matcha bowls, one develops an aesthetic eye. You too should try to find your own “favorite masterpiece” tea bowl.

Classification by Shape

Wan-gata (rounded form):
A basic shape with a bulging middle that gives a sense of stability. Suitable for use year-round.

Hiragata (flat form):
An open, upward-facing shape like a morning glory flower. Also usable year-round. Its wide form allows the tea to cool quickly, making it suitable for summer.

Tsutsugata (cylindrical form):
A tall, cylindrical shape that helps retain heat, making it suitable for winter.

Example: Shino cylindrical tea bowl “Tamagawa” (Tokugawa Art Museum collection)

Major Types of Matcha Bowls by Glaze, Clay, and Technique

Raku:
Formed by hand using only fingers and a spatula, without a potter’s wheel—a method called “tenkneading.” Developed by the Raku family in Kyoto. Includes black Raku (favored by Sen no Rikyū), red Raku, and white Raku. These bowls have a warm, hand-fitting feel. Raku is considered one of the most representative types of tea bowls, as expressed in the saying: “First Raku, second Hagi, third Karatsu.”

Example: “Shunkan” by Chōjirō (first-generation Raku), Mitsui Memorial Museum collection

Hagi

 Hagi ware, produced in Hagi City (Yamaguchi Prefecture), is characterized by its soft, lightly fired clay in beige or pale pink tones. It is absorbent, and as it is used over many years, tea seeps into the bowl, gradually changing its appearance—this transformation is part of its charm.

Example: Hagi ware in the d:matcha collection

Tenmoku:
Used when offering tea to deities or serving high-ranking individuals. Variations arise from glaze color and kiln effects, such as Yōhen Tenmoku, Yuteki (oil-spot) Tenmoku, and Kaki Tenmoku. The National Treasure Yōhen Tenmoku is especially famous and remains highly popular in exhibitions due to its captivating beauty.

Example: National Treasure Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum collection)

Ido:
Originally everyday Korean wares made in the early Joseon period, these bowls were later appreciated by tea masters for their wabi-sabi beauty and became highly prized for tea use. It is said that any tea practitioner would want at least one, and they are classified among the finest tea utensils. They typically have a slightly deep, flared (morning glory-like) shape, with loquat or skin-toned colors, a “bamboo-joint” style foot, stacking marks from firing, and often display “kairagi” (a textured, crackled glaze effect).

Example: Ō-Ido tea bowl “Sano Ido” (Tokyo National Museum collection)

Iraho:
Characterized by iron-rich coarse clay and a rough, textured glaze. The name comes from the slightly irritating (rough) feel to the touch. Its appeal lies in its rustic wabi aesthetic and subdued iron glaze tones.

Example: Iraho ware in the d:matcha collection

Mishima:
Made from iron-rich gray-black clay, decorated with stamped or carved patterns that are filled with white clay to create contrast.