Katakuchi Special Edition Tea Bowl

Of all the tea-serving bowls we’ve discovered during our travels, this katakuchi bowl by ceramic artist Techin Pintupan stands apart for its balance of beauty and performance.

Using locally sourced clay from Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, Techin hand-throws and finishes these vessels in limited-run glazes—no two exactly alike. The softly curved body tapers beneath a seamless spout to keep pours clean and controlled, offering a graceful way to serve matcha and loose-leaf infusions to guests.

Tracing back to forms that originated in Japan’s Owari region, katakuchi bowls were traditionally used for whisking and pouring matcha. Over time, their use has expanded; today, for many tea enthusiasts, they serve as stacking or decanting pitchers in gongfu-style tea preparation, bridging Japanese and Chinese tea traditions. This multipurpose bowl is also well suited for transferring oils, sake and other liquids to small-mouth containers. Use yours however you’d like—there’s no single way to prepare tea.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
A graduate of Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, Techin founded Tetang Pottery Studio in 2016. His work is informed by a love of Thai and Japanese culture, expressed through contemporary forms that are deeply rooted in place.