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Matcha Bowls

Take a moment to relax and enjoy matcha at home with an authentic and beautifully crafted matcha chawan. Explore our collection of handmade Japanese matcha bowls, each created by skilled artisans, and find the perfect one for your tea-making experience.

About Matcha

Matcha is a type of green tea made from dried tea leaves that are ground into a fine powder. It’s said that when Eisai, the founder of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, returned from China in around 1191, he brought back tea seeds and introduced a method of mixing powdered tea with hot water.

He presented the tea to shogun Minamoto no Sanetomo–spreading matcha to the warrior class. By the Nanbokucho period (1337-1392), it was a popular drink among common folk.

The seeds Eisai brought over were also planted and cultivated by Buddhist monks. It was not until the 1500s that the ritual of the tea ceremony was perfected under the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility by tea master Sen no Rikyu.

Rules differ depending on tea schools, but traditional Japanese tea ceremonies as we know it today are held in minimalistic tea rooms surrounded by a garden. Participants are asked to refrain from wearing gaudy clothing or strong perfumes.

Utensils used during the ceremony include a kettle and brazier, a “natsume” (green tea container), a “chasuku” (tea scoop), a “chasen” (tea whisk), a “chawan” (tea bowl), and a plate for Japanese sweets. Each item is important and plays an essential role in carrying out specific rituals.

Read further to learn about the importance of a matcha bowl and how to find the right one for you!

How to Choose Your First Matcha Chawan

Selecting the right matcha bowl, whether for personal use or as a gift, can be challenging. For beginners, here are some key points to consider:

1. Select a bowl with a wide mikomi

A wide mikomi (the inside of the bowl) makes it easier to whisk tea with a chasen (matcha whisk). A bowl designed for easy whisking helps prepare delicious matcha more efficiently.

2. Choose a bowl that is comfortable in weight and size

There are moments when you need to hold the matcha bowl with one hand, whether when whisking or drinking. Therefore, a bowl that is too heavy or too large to handle comfortably is not suitable.

3. Consider the seasonal aspect

As a matcha bowl is an important element when hosting guests, it’s a nice touch to choose a bowl that reflects the season, especially if you plan to serve tea to friends. This can enhance the overall experience by adding a sense of seasonality to your tea ceremony.

Japanese matcha bowls come in various shapes and materials, each influencing the ease of whisking the tea and the overall taste. This guide offers beginner-friendly tips on choosing the right matcha bowl by exploring the characteristics of different shapes and materials.