Pottery and Matcha — A Shared Origin
Matcha is shaped by terroir: the minerals in the soil, the mountain mist, the rhythm of the seasons. Japanese ceramics are no different. The iron in the clay, the ash from the kiln fire, the temperature of the earth — all leave their mark on the vessel. Tea and bowl are both, at their core, expressions of the land they come from.
When Sen no Rikyū elevated the tea ceremony in the 16th century, he insisted that the bowl was as important as the tea itself. The way it sat in the hands, the texture against the lips, the colour the green foam took against the clay — all of it was considered. A rough-surfaced, hand-formed bowl creates more friction for the whisk, producing a finer foam. Dense, unglazed stoneware holds heat slowly, keeping the matcha warm and its aroma alive. The vessel is not background. It is part of the cup.
"First Raku, second Hagi, third Karatsu" — the classic ranking of tea bowls reflects how deeply ceramics and matcha are intertwined in Japanese aesthetic tradition.
Aichi Matcha — A New Terroir
We are pleased to introduce matcha from Aichi Prefecture to our lineup. Grown in mineral-rich soils along Japan's Pacific coast, Aichi matcha offers a clean, balanced profile — smooth umami, gentle sweetness, and a versatility that suits both ceremonial preparation and high-quality café use. It is a tea that speaks quietly, with confidence.
Tokoname-yaki — Ancient Clay, New Partnership
Aichi is also home to Tokoname-yaki (常滑焼) — one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, with a history spanning over a thousand years. Famous for its iron-rich red clay and the celebrated shudei teapot, Tokoname pottery is prized for its density, durability, and subtle interaction with tea. The unglazed clay is said to mellow the astringency of the brew over time, the vessel gradually becoming a collaborator in the cup.
We are honoured to have formed a partnership with a Tokoname kiln rooted in this living tradition. Through this collaboration, we now offer a curated selection of Tokoname-yaki ceramics — matcha bowls, teapots, and tableware — chosen specifically for their relationship to the preparation and enjoyment of tea.
Aichi Prefecture matcha and handcrafted Tokoname-yaki ceramics — sourced from the same soil, brought together for the first time. Please reach out to our team for wholesale and pairing inquiries.
What moves us most about this new chapter is simple: our matcha and our ceramic partners share the same earth. To prepare Aichi tea in a Tokoname bowl is to complete a circle the land itself began.
