Not all yohen glazes perform. Some of the most considered pieces in the Japanese ceramic tradition are those that hold their character quietly, revealing themselves only with sustained attention. This Purple Haze set is that kind of object. The glaze is a cool slate-purple, somewhere between the colour of storm cloud and dark graphite, with a faint blue undertone that surfaces differently in natural light than it does under artificial light. Fine vertical streaks run through the surface, produced by the movement of the glaze during firing, giving the piece a texture closer to the grain of dark stone or cracked slate than to the dramatic flows seen in the Midnight Blue yohen. It is the most restrained and, in some ways, the most sophisticated colourway in the collection.
The colour connects to a specific tradition within East Asian ceramics: jun ware (junyao), the Song and Yuan Dynasty Chinese ceramic style known for its opalescent, blue-purple glazes produced by the scattering of light through layers of glaze with different refractive properties. Jun ware pieces were among the most prized in imperial Chinese collections, and the blue-purple tones they produced have recurred across ceramic traditions ever since, appearing in Japanese works influenced by that lineage. The Purple Haze yohen is a contemporary kiln-change interpretation of that same colour territory, produced through the interaction of minerals in the glaze at high firing temperatures rather than through the layered opacity of true junyao, but occupying the same quiet, contemplative visual space.
What is included:
Chawan (matcha bowl): Wide-mouthed stoneware in the Purple Haze yohen glaze, proportioned for confident whisking with enough depth for both usucha (thin matcha) and koicha (thick matcha). The interior carries the same cool blue-grey tone as the exterior, giving the bowl a sense of visual coherence when held in both hands as chado tradition suggests. A small pouring spout is cut into the rim. The kodai (foot ring) is hand-finished, with the subtle irregularity of a piece made rather than manufactured.
Chasen tate (whisk holder): A ceramic chasen holder in the matching Purple Haze glaze, with a slightly drier, more matte surface character than the bowl, concentrating the slate-purple tones without gloss. The raised interior dome lifts and supports the tines of the chasen as they dry after each preparation, preserving their curved shape and extending the life of the whisk. Consistent use of a chasen holder is the single most effective care practice for a quality bamboo chasen.
Chasen (bamboo whisk): A 100-tine hand-split bamboo chasen (百本立, hyakuhon-date), made from shiro-take (white bamboo) in the craft tradition of Takayama, Nara Prefecture, where chasen production has been centred for over 500 years. At 100 tines, this is the grade recommended by both the Urasenke and Omotesenke schools of Japanese tea for everyday preparation: fine enough to produce a smooth, even awa (foam) efficiently, and robust enough for daily use. Arrives in a clear protective storage cylinder.
Chashaku (bamboo scoop): A natural bamboo matcha scoop with a long, gently angled tip (the sui) for clean, precise portioning from a natsume or tea caddy. One level scoop measures approximately 1g of matcha, the standard measure for a bowl of usucha.
Using the set:
Warm the chawan with a small pour of hot water, swirl, and discard. Soak the chasen tines in warm water for 30 seconds before first use to condition the bamboo. Sift 1 to 2 chashaku scoops of ceremonial-grade matcha into the warmed bowl. Add 70 to 80ml of water at 75 to 80 degrees Celsius and whisk in a brisk W or M motion until a smooth, even layer of awa forms. Drink directly from the bowl, turning it gently in both hands before the first sip. After each use, rinse the chasen under warm water and rest it on the chasen tate to dry with the tines open. Wipe the chashaku clean with a dry cloth.
A note on colour variation)
As with all yohen kiln-change pieces, no two fire identically. The position of the piece in the kiln, the heat curve, and the movement of the glaze during firing all contribute to the final surface. The colour and streaking of the piece you receive will share the character of the photograph without being a replica of it. This variation is not a quality issue; it is the defining quality of yohen ware.
Gifting:
This set arrives complete and ready to give, in our gift packaging. The Purple Haze glaze suits those who appreciate subtlety over spectacle: collectors of Japanese ceramics, practitioners of chado, and anyone drawn to objects that reward closer attention. It also works as a first complete matcha set for someone beginning a daily matcha practice, providing everything needed without anything missing.
Care:
All ceramic pieces: hand wash only, not dishwasher or microwave safe. The yohen glaze will develop a gentle patina with regular use. Bamboo pieces: wipe clean with a dry cloth after each use, do not soak or machine wash.
