This Kensui (建水) waste-water bowl is crafted in Kiyomizu-yaki (清水焼), the celebrated Kyoto ceramic tradition known for its refined forms and delicate decorative painting. Used in the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu), a kensui serves as the vessel for discarding waste water during the preparation of matcha, making it an essential utensil in the tea practitioner’s toolkit.
The bowl features a soft ivory glaze with a subtle crackle texture. Around the body, it is beautifully hand-painted with autumn motifs, most prominently a vivid red maple leaf (momiji) rendered with fine gold outlines. The maple leaf is accompanied by small stylized blossoms and teal brush accents, creating a harmonious seasonal design. In Japanese aesthetics, the maple leaf symbolizes the beauty of autumn and the appreciation of fleeting seasonal moments, a theme deeply connected to the spirit of the tea ceremony.
Its rounded form with a slightly flared rim reflects the classic silhouette of a traditional kensui, both practical and graceful. The interior is left in a smooth cream glaze, allowing easy cleaning and emphasizing the understated elegance typical of Kyoto ware.
Kiyomizu-yaki ceramics are prized for their hand-painted decoration and refined Kyoto artistry, often associated with tea culture and traditional craftsmanship. This piece embodies that heritage, blending functional design with poetic seasonal imagery.
