Tag: katakuchi

Small Drinking Vessels and Refills: Please Let Me Pour More

By:
Ceramics Kazu Oba Food and Craft

Ceramics by Kazu Oba in our shop ->

I get so excited to hear from people that they have been vaccinated for Covid-19. It feels truly good to be on the offensive against this virus! And as I patiently await my turn for the jab(s), which should come soon, I’m starting to look forward to sitting around the table with my friends again.

And when I sit down to have tea, coffee, even water and adult beverages, I like to use small cups and mugs. Sure, it’s always good to have less things to wash afterwards, but I like to give my guests small drinking vessels so that I can bring a pitcher or spouted bowls with refills.

Little cups allow the host to offer a fresh batch of hot coffee to the guests

Why bother, you may ask. It is because little cups allow me to offer a fresh batch of hot or cold drinks to my guests. In addition, there is something very pleasant and soothing about watching and hearing liquid being poured into vessels don’t you think? I consider it as part of the entertainment to the guests. I’m sure the Victorians could have made tea in huge mugs as well, but they too must have felt that the act of pouring adds another layer to the tea experience.

It is pleasant and soothing to watch and hear liquid (in this case matcha) being poured into vessels.

If you ever wondered why there are so many small cups in my shop, now you know the reason. And today I’ve added even more small cups and pouring vessels by Kazu Oba to my shop. As always, Kazu’s spouts are perfectly executed so that there won’t be any drips left on your table. I hope that you’ll find the perfect vessel to add a little more pouring for your next gathering in the coming post-Covid world.

It is not just a bowl, it is a spouted bowl

By:
Ceramics Kazu Oba

Do you use spouted bowls on your dining table? If not, I highly recommend that you do. Don’t be misled by the spout though as these bowls are not just for pouring liquid, but are also great for serving a meal, soup, or even displaying flowers.

An unglazed spouted bowl, or katakuchi, by Kazu Oba

The best way to think of them is that they are a bowl with a “mouth” that has personality and charm. In Japanese, these vessels are called Katakuchi, and there is so much interest and obsession with them that there are stores that specialize in only selling spouted bowls.

Kazu Oba’s white katakuchi with a touch of blue from the salt introduced to the kiln at the last stage of firing.
A double spouted bowl by Kazu Oba

As my regular customers might already know, katakuchi are my favorite types of vessels and I can’t seem to get enough of them. Luckily, I just received a whole bunch of them from Kazu Oba in Colorado, together with other beautiful pots by him. Please enjoy browsing these gorgeous mouthed vessels in my shop today!