This tea bowl is an example of shino ware. Shino ware developed specifically for use in the tea ceremony. The kiln centers of Karatsu and Takatori were founded to produce everyday wares, but eventually also received orders from tea masters to create wares suitable for tea, such as this. Known as chanoyu ("hot water for tea"), this form of ritual tea uses powdered green tea, which is whisked into a frothy brew in the individual tea bowl. Developed during the 16th century, chanoyu grew from the aesthetic sensibilities of tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-91), who established a lineage that continues to this day.

Adapted from

• Label text, Arts of Asia, 2018.

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  See another example of Karatsu ware and learn more about its importance.

• Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
  Read more about the Japanese tea ceremony.