This exquisite Kyo-yaki Chaire (茶入 - tea container) is an utsushi (写 - replica) of the Iwaki-bunrin (岩城文琳), made in the classic 'apple' (文琳 - bunrin) shape, with a near spherical body. The mottled black and red iron glaze is marked by two black drips down the shomen (正面 - face).

The chaire comes paired with a light blue shifuku (仕覆 - silk brocade pouch) woven in the Toridasuki-donsu (鳥襷緞子) pattern.

The original Iwaki-bunrin was made in Song Dynasty China and passed through many famous Japanese samurai's hands, most notable Iwaki Sadataka (from whom it gets its name) and Date Masamune. It was named a chuko-meibutsu (中興名物 - Chuko Masterpiece) by famous teaist Kobori Enshu. Today it is housed in the Fujita Art Museum in Osaka. 

Made by Satori Imashiro (今城聡) of Ryuki Kiln (龍喜窯).This vintage item ships with its original tomobako (paulownia wooden box).

Chaire (茶入 - tea container), pronounced cha-ee-reh or chai-reh, are ceramic vessels used to hold high-grade matcha used to make koicha (thick tea). They are some of the most highly-regarded tea ceremony utensils. Chaire lids are typically coated with gold or silver leaf on the underside, which was thought to be a pure material that would discolour when it came into contact with poison, thus protecting one from drinking poisoned tea. Chaire are also paired with a custom-made silk brocade pouch (仕覆 - shifuku) that is tied tightly with a drawstring.

Kyo-yaki (京焼) is a type of Japanese pottery that traditionally comes from Kyoto, Japan. The pottery traditions of Kyoto date back to the 5th century and are varied in their styles.

Dimensions:

6.5cm (2.6in) - width
7.2cm (2.8in) - height

Condition: Excellent

This vintage Japanese item ships from the United States.