The "Reki" Matcha Bowl
Crafted using an original technique called Reki (gravel), this Matcha bowl beautifully expresses the truly one-of-a-kind texture of Bizen clay. The unique, stone-like finish highlights the raw and unparalleled character of the earth.
Size : Ø11.5 × H10 cm
*As each piece is individually handmade, there may be slight variations from the item shown in the images.
*Please also note that the appearance and colour of the product may vary depending on the lighting.
About : Noriyasu Takezaki
Born in Inbe, Bizen City, in 1968, Noriyasu Takezaki grew up surrounded by pottery and later trained under his mother, a Bizen ceramic artist. He was certified as a Traditional Craftsperson in 2024.
His hand-built sake vessels and flower vessels celebrate the natural texture of raw clay, brought to life through traditional climbing-kiln firing. His “Reki” series explores the diversity of clay, while his wheel-thrown tableware is designed to feel light in the hand and be easy to use.
STYLE & APPROACH
He makes sake and flower vessels primarily by hand-pinching. In recent years he has developed the "Tsubute" (pebble) series, expressing the diversity of the clay. His wheel-thrown work prioritises lightness and ease of use.
SPECIALITY
Sake vessels, flower vessels, tableware
What is BIZEN WARE?
Bizen ware comes from Imbe in Bizen City, Okayama - one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns. Each piece is shaped by hand from local clay and fired with no glaze and no painted decoration, so the clay itself speaks. Fired with pine wood for 7-10 days at over 1,200 °C, it becomes a hard, dense stoneware - and no two pieces are ever alike.
The fired surface — yaki
Without glaze, every colour and pattern comes from how flame, ash and charcoal touch the piece in the kiln. Potters call these natural effects keshiki - “landscapes”.
- 窯変（Yōhen）: Buried in charcoal on the kiln floor, away from flame and air, the clay turns grey, dark grey or bluish.
- 胡麻（Goma）: Pine ash settles on the piece like sesame seeds; where it melts and runs, it is called tamadare.
- 棧切（Sangiri）: Where ash and charcoal cut off the air, grey to blue-black tones form against the redbrown clay.
- 緋襷（Hidasuki）: Straw wrapped around the piece reacts with iron in the clay, leaving scarlet lines.