This splendid chawan (tea bowl) was part of the collection of a Japanese master-calligrapher also known for his pottery. We will present you a very diverse selection of his chawan and tea utensils.

The bowl was made at a kiln named Kyozan-gama. It is a Karatsu ware, from the city of Karatsu, located in the northern part of the island of Kyushu, on the shores of the Sea of Japan...

This spectacular chaire (tea caddy) is part of a series of mostly antique and vintage items that we recovered from the storehouse of a retired construction contractor. His house is located in the southern part of Kyoto, where buildings from the Edo and Meiji periods still stand. His son not being interested in inheriting his father's collection, we were asked to take them out, and we are now able to present them to you...

This remarkable set of 5 Kutani sake cups is part of a series of mostly antique and vintage items that we recovered from the storehouse of a retired construction contractor. His house is located in the southern part of Kyoto, where buildings from the Edo and Meiji periods still stand...

A splendid chaire (tea caddy) made by an artist named Moritoki Taiyu. This thick tea container is a Bizen ware, from one of the six oldest remaining Japanese pottery traditions. Bizen is a small town in Okayama prefecture (ancient Bizen province). There, for more than one thousand years, potters have been producing a sober yet strong looking wood fired ceramic...

This superb natsume (tea container) was made by an artist named Imada Hokusen. Natsume are usually made to preserve thin tea (whereas chaire are used for thick tea). They are traditionally made of lacquered wood.

This natsume is made in the maki-e style, where gold has been applied to the lacquer, to form, here, a rich and elaborate design of three fans“floating”about what seems to be a symbolized torrent and its waves...

This elegant natsume (tea container) was made by an artist named Hamataka Etsuro. Natsume are usually made to preserve thin tea (whereas chaire are used for thick tea). They are traditionally made of lacquered wood.

This natsume is made in the maki-e style, where gold has been applied to the lacquer, forming here, an elaborately made design of a sparrow. The richly sprinkled natsume give both the bird and the objet princely allures.

The natsume is in excellent condition...

Here is an intriguing and original natsume (tea container) made by a fifth generation lacquer artist from Ishikawa prefecture named Tada Keikan. Natsume are usually made to preserve thin tea (whereas chaire are used for thick tea). They are traditionally made of lacquered wood.

This natsume is made in the maki-e style, where gold has been applied to the lacquer to form, here, symbolized clouds which seem to hide a rising (or setting) sun, shaped by a dip in the black lid...

An elegant natsume (tea container, in Japanese). Natsume are usually made to preserve thin tea (whereas chaire are used for thick tea). They are traditionally made of lacquered wood.

This particular natsume is made in the maki-e style, where gold has been applied to the lacquer to form, here, a refined design of bamboo stalks. The skillful use of rich shades of gold, which give depth to the motif, reveal a masterfully made objet.

The natsume is in excellent condition...

The sobriety of this natsume (tea container, in Japanese) does not take away its beauty. It was made by an artist named Hosei. Natsume are usually made to preserve thin tea (whereas chaire are used for thick tea). They are traditionally made of lacquered wood.

This particular natsume is made in the maki-e style of lacquer ware, where gold is applied to the lacquer to form elaborate designs...

This elegant natsume (tea container, in Japanese) was made by an artist named Hosei. Natsume are usually made to preserve thin tea (whereas chaire are used for thick tea). They are traditionally made of lacquered wood.

This particular natsume is made in the maki-e style of lacquer ware, where gold and sometimes other materials are applied to the lacquer to form elaborate designs...

This is an exquisite natsume (tea container, in Japanese) made by a master-craftsman named Nakamura Soin. Natsume are usually made to preserve thin tea (whereas chaire are used for thick tea). They are traditionally made of lacquered wood.

This particular natsume is made in the maki-e style of lacquer ware, where gold has been applied to the lacquer to form, in this case, a wonderful design of a calabash (hyotan, in Japanese) vine and its fruits...

This remarkable koro (incense burner) was made by a recognized Kutani potter named Fujimura Masami, whose works have been exhibited at the prestigious Asahi Ceramic Exhibition as well as the Nitten Exhibition...