Mount Fuji Ao-Oribe Matcha Bowl

This Ao-Oribe chawan (matcha bowl) is glazed in a finely crazed light cream, decorated with an iron underpainting of a snow-capped Mount Fuji and accented with splashes of the iconic copper green Oribe glaze. Unlike more traditional Oribe chawan which have distorted shapes, this bowl is perfectly round making it easy for beginners to use.

Oribe-yaki (織部焼) is a type of Japanese pottery known for its free flowing glazes and asymmetrical, hand-formed shapes. Dating from the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Oribe ware takes its name from legendary tea master Furuta Oribe (古田 織部) who is believed to have played a large part in its development. Oribe wares are decorated with abstract designs and splashes of free-flowing vibrant green or deep black glaze. With these distorted shapes and novel decorations, Oribe-yaki exudes a charm that matches Furuta Oribe’s philosophy of hyouge (へうげ) or playfulness. One of the most popular styles of Oribe ware is Ao-Oribe or Green Oribe, which is decorated with patterns and drawings painted with an iron underglaze and then partially covered in a vibrant green copper-sulfate glaze which contrasts against the light background.