The White Scale Bowl — Shino Wood-Fired Chawan

The White Scale Bowl — Order Hidden in Fire

Of all the cups born from this kiln firing, this one carries the most distinctive surface. Thousands of white Shino glaze fragments have separated and lifted during the wood firing, arranging themselves across the exterior in a dense, almost concentric pattern — like fish scales, tortoiseshell, or river stones laid side by side. Between each white island, a fine web of iron-brown traces the boundaries, precise and endlessly varied. It is a cup that rewards long looking.

Glaze & Surface: The exterior is dominated by a densely crawled white Shino glaze that covers nearly the entire surface in a tight, interlocking mosaic. Each white fragment is slightly raised, smooth at its centre, and separated from its neighbours by a fine tracery of warm iron-brown — the underlying clay showing through wherever the glaze contracted and pulled away during firing. The pattern is remarkably even across the upper two-thirds of the cup, gradually softening toward the foot where the glaze thins and the natural clay colour re-emerges. The rim is ringed in a deep iron-black band, where the glaze pooled and darkened from the kiln's heat. The interior carries a quiet blue-grey crawled glaze — larger, looser cells that open like cracked earth or ice, lit from within by a cool, still light.

Form & Feel:

• Low, round chawan form — full-bellied and deeply satisfying to hold
• Gently inward-curving rim — draws the tea and the attention inward
• 325g weight — substantial, balanced, grounding
• Smooth, rounded exterior texture beneath the crawled glaze — comfortable in both hands
• Small, unglazed foot ring — raw stoneware, dark and honest

For the Art of Tea: The round chawan form sits naturally in cupped hands, making it ideal for slow, meditative tea practice. The wide mouth welcomes matcha, the depth holds heat through a long sitting, and the white scale surface reflects light beautifully as the cup is turned. A cup to return to, day after day.

One of a kind. Wood-fired in a single kiln firing. Never to be repeated.

Care

Suitable for contact with tea. Hand wash gently and avoid abrasive cleaners. Variations and firing marks are part of this one-of-a-kind handmade piece.