Of all the glaze effects produced in the long history of East Asian ceramics, few have been more pursued, more prized, or more difficult to achieve reliably than the one you see on this set. The deep iron-black ground, the long luminous streaks of blue-grey running from rim to base, the cobalt pooling at the foot where the glaze has gathered and concentrated in the heat of the kiln: this is tokomé, the hare’s fur effect, and it places this set within one of the most significant lineages in the entire story of ceramic craft.
The original hare’s fur tenmoku bowls were made in Fujian Province, China, during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), where potters discovered that iron-saturated glazes fired at extreme temperatures would produce fine, hair-like streaks as the glaze moved down the vessel during firing. These bowls were brought to Japan by Zen monks and became the most treasured objects in early Japanese chado (the way of tea): three surviving Song Dynasty tenmoku bowls are designated National Treasures of Japan, among the most protected cultural objects in the country. The blue luminosity in this contemporary yohen version comes from the interaction of iron and trace minerals in the glaze at high kiln temperatures, producing a depth of colour that shifts from near-black to midnight blue depending on the light and angle.
No two pieces in this colourway fire identically. The position of each piece in the kiln, the direction of the flame, and the precise temperature curve all affect where the streaks fall and how the blue develops. What you receive will share the same character as the photograph; it will not be identical to it.
What is included:
Chawan (matcha bowl): Wide-mouthed stoneware in the yohen hare’s fur glaze, proportioned for confident whisking with room for both usucha (thin matcha) and koicha (thick matcha). A small pouring spout is cut into the rim. The interior is smooth and dark, making the vivid green of ceremonial-grade matcha striking against it. The kodai (foot ring) is hand-finished with the natural irregularity of a piece made by hand, where the glaze pools most intensely in deep cobalt tones at the base.
Chasen tate (whisk holder): A ceramic chasen holder in the matching yohen glaze, showing the same streaked blue-grey character concentrated into a smaller form. The raised interior dome holds the tines of the chasen lifted and open as they dry after each use, preserving their shape and extending the working life of the whisk significantly. It is the most overlooked tool in a matcha setup and one of the most useful.
Chasen (bamboo whisk): A 100-tine hand-split bamboo chasen (百本立, hyakuhon-date), crafted from shiro-take (white bamboo) in the tradition centred in Takayama, Nara Prefecture, where chasen making has been practised 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) with ease, and durable enough for daily use. Arrives in a clear protective storage cylinder.
Chashaku (bamboo scoop): A natural bamboo matcha scoop with a long, angled tip (the sui) shaped for clean, precise portioning from a natsume or tea caddy. One level scoop measures approximately 1g of matcha, the conventional 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. 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 across the surface. 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 lifted. Wipe the chashaku clean with a dry cloth.
Gifting:
This set arrives complete and ready to give. The midnight blue yohen glaze makes it the most visually striking option in the collection and a particularly considered gift for anyone with an existing matcha practice or a serious interest in Japanese ceramics. It is also well suited as a first complete set for someone beginning that practice.
Care:
All ceramic pieces: hand wash only, not dishwasher or microwave safe. The yohen glaze will develop a quiet patina with use, which is a natural characteristic of high-fire iron glazes. Bamboo pieces: wipe clean with a dry cloth after each use, do not soak or machine wash.
