• A handcrafted matcha bowl with a glossy blue and white drip glaze, shown against a white background.
  • Interior view of the Blue Shodai matcha bowl, featuring a spiral pattern in layered blue and white glaze.
  • The Blue Shodai matcha bowl next to a bamboo chasen whisk, styled for a traditional tea preparation setting.
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Shodai Ware Nakadera Kiln

Blue Shodai Matcha Bowl

Blue Shodai Matcha Bowl

$109.00 USD
$109.00 USD
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Evoking the serene palette of mist rising over mountain streams, the Blue Shodai Matcha Bowl by Nakadera Kiln embodies the quiet strength of Shodai ware. Handcrafted in Kumamoto Prefecture, each bowl is formed from locally sourced iron-rich clay and finished with a flowing blue glaze that cascades like gentle waves over the surface.

The contrast between the deep earthen foot and the cool, cascading hues highlights the harmony of nature and craftsmanship. Its generous form invites daily use, while the subtle variations in glaze and texture reflect the unique character of each piece—no two are exactly alike.

Rooted in centuries of tradition yet unmistakably modern in presence, this bowl brings a sense of calm and quiet ceremony to your everyday moments.

Detail

Size: W 4.7in x L 4.7in x H 2.6in / W 12cm x L 12cm x H 6.5cm
Material: Ceramic

Care ＆ Use

  • Handwash only
  • Keep it dry
  • Avoid sudden temperature changes
  • Avoid metal scrubs or abrasive detergents
  • Store safely
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Shodaiyaki Pottery: Everyday Beauty Shaped by Centuries of Craft

Shodaiyaki is a traditional style of Japanese pottery originating in the 17th century, with roots in the mountainous region near Arao in present-day Kumamoto Prefecture. First established under the patronage of the Hosokawa clan in 1632, Shodaiyaki was crafted by potters brought from the Buzen area and quickly became known for its rustic character and durability. Over the centuries, this style evolved into a form of everyday ware—functional, robust, and quietly expressive.

What distinguishes Shodaiyaki is its use of iron-rich clay and natural straw-ash glazes that are often applied using a technique called nagashi-kake—a method of pouring the glaze in sweeping, dynamic motions across the surface. The result is a textured, flowing finish that varies with every firing, producing one-of-a-kind vessels that embrace natural variation. The pottery often features subdued earth tones—whites, yellows, blues, and amber—blended in organic patterns shaped by flame, glaze, and chance. These are vessels meant to be used: warm to the touch, weighty in the hand, and full of quiet depth.

Brand History

Nakaderagama is a family-run Shodaiyaki kiln located in Arao, Kumamoto. Led by father-and-son artisans Kohei and Tomonari Nishikawa, the kiln continues a regional tradition that spans nearly four centuries. Drawing from the old techniques of ko-shodai (early Shodaiyaki), Nakaderagama produces tea bowls, plates, sake cups, and everyday tableware that balance the raw beauty of wood-fired pottery with refined form.

Each piece is fired in a climbing kiln (noborigama) over multiple days, with firewood stoked by hand to create rich, ash-laden textures. No two pieces emerge the same. Through this process, the Nishikawas aim to honor the imperfections that give handmade pottery its life—firing marks, glaze drips, and color shifts that tell the story of flame and earth.

While rooted in heritage, Nakaderagama’s work speaks to modern sensibilities: quietly rustic, humbly elegant, and made for daily use. It is pottery with soul—crafted not to impress, but to belong in your hands, your kitchen, and your life.