Tetsuchi Ridge Bowl | Karatsu Clay, Earth-Fired (M11)

There are days when everything feels too polished. Too smooth. You’re drinking tea, but your hand’s holding factory glass. You eat with a spoon but never taste the bowl. It's all slick. Forgettable. Nothing sinks in. That’s where this bowl comes in.

This vintage Japanese ceramic bowl from Karatsu (Saga) isn’t trying to be perfect. And that’s exactly what makes it feel alive. It’s made from a red Karatsu clay, left mostly raw on the outside, with a muted, ochre-toned glaze that fades into ash-brown toward the foot.

You can see where the fire kissed it unevenly, where darker bands wrap around the lower half like the bark of an old tree. The clay body is rough to the touch, the spiral grooves still present from the wheel, giving it a grip that your fingers won’t forget.

Inside, the glaze smooths out just enough. A warm amber tone settles at the bottom, barely pooling. You can see the clay through it. The rim is subtly uneven, just a little soft wave you’ll feel when you sip from it. It’s 12.7 cm across and 7.5 cm tall. A little taller than most. Deeper too. Which means more room for matcha froth, or maybe just a quiet scoop of rice and tea on a cold night.

Flip it over and you’ll see the deep foot ring, left bare, its coarse red clay fully exposed. A slice of earth you can see and touch. No markings, and no stamps. Just that faded sticker marked "M-11." Handmade Japanese pottery like this doesn’t always come with a name. Sometimes it’s the silence that tells you what it is.

This is what wabi sabi pottery looks like when it stops pretending. No flash, and no shine. Just grounded, textured, elemental beauty. It’s the kind of bowl you want to reach for with cold hands. The kind you don’t have to worry about babying. The kind that makes you slow down and feel the tea.

Add it to your shelf if you’re done with pretty. Use it if you like things that hold weight. Let it be your matcha bowl or your go-to chawan for late-night ochazuke. Either way, this bowl stays quiet until you notice it. And once you do, it doesn’t let go.

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Please note:

Many of these bowls are vintage and may have small cracks, stains, or chips.

They were originally made in Japan for drinking tea (HS: 6912.00 or 6911.10), but we sell them as decorative items (HS: 6913.10) since there are no test results or certificates.

Some bowls come with free outer boxes (wood or cardboard), but this varies by item.

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We do not accept OEM or branding requests.

Free EMS shipping from Japan is included; our trading company in Fukuoka handles all exports from our warehouse there.

Each bowl is one of a kind; once sold, it won’t be restocked.

If you prefer UPS or FedEx, email us before ordering.