This matcha bowl (抹茶碗, chawan) is crafted in the 三島焼（Mishima-yaki） style within the 京焼（Kyō-yaki） tradition.
The surface is adorned with the distinctive 三島手（Mishima-de） stamped slip inlay patterns, featuring intricate floral and geometric motifs. These designs are said to resemble the imagery found in the calendar charts once distributed by Mishima Taisha Shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture, which gave the style its name. The repeated inlay decorations create a refined yet rustic texture that enhances the tactile quality of the bowl.
Historically, Mishima ware entered Japan through the Korean peninsula, and first appeared prominently around 1586. During this time, Japanese tea culture was shifting: the earlier preference for Chinese Tenmoku (唐物天目) wares was giving way to the appreciation of Korean-style tea bowls (高麗茶碗). Within this transition, Mishima-de patterns gained immense popularity, particularly among the common people, and came to be widely used in both tea utensils and everyday household wares.
This chawan captures that history and aesthetic — its well-proportioned form and detailed stamped motifs embody the quiet elegance of Mishima-yaki, reflecting both its Korean roots and its integration into Japanese tea culture.
