Oribe Ware Irregular Chawan (Tea Bowl), Japan (Without Tomobako)
An irregularly shaped matcha bowl in the style of Oribe ware (Oribe-yaki), Japan. The form leans toward free-form modelling, with a gently undulating rim, and carries a strong folk-craft, handmade character. The exterior is glazed over a light-coloured clay body, mainly in clear and green glazes, and the surface shows natural crackle (craquelure), a texture that forms naturally during high-temperature reduction firing. The bowl is decorated with a vine-and-flower motif painted in reddish brown, with fluid brushwork and a lively composition, expressing the 'beauty of asymmetry' and freely sketched naturalness characteristic of Oribe. The green glaze has a strong sheen that contrasts sharply with the texture of the unglazed body, giving the piece visual tension while keeping its rustic simplicity.