Emi Nakagawa: Handmade Matcha Bowl with Bamboo Box

This matcha bowl was created by mixing clay and ashes of twigs and leaves of buckwheat from Tokushima. The color of this bowl comes from the buckwheat ashes, and each piece has different "expression" in its color and shape. The bamboo box was handmade by the ceramic artist's father, who began bamboo craft a result of a local project. The project aimed at revitalizing fireflies in the river through environmental conservation, and doing so bamboo thinning was necessary. He wanted to transform the disposed bamboo into something new, and created this beautiful bamboo box. Ceramic artist Emi Nakagawa studied ceramic production in Kyoto and uses the Kiyomizu-yaki tradition with clay from Shigaraki, Shiga. Product Info Bowl Dimensions: Diameter about 11.5cm (4.5 in), Height about 7.5cm (3 in) Bowl Volume: 600 ml (20.3 fl oz) when filled near to the rim Bowl Material: Ceramic Box Dimensions: Width, Height Box Material: Bamboo Note that because these bowls and boxes are handmade, there will be variations in color & size. Product Care & Maintenance Do not use in microwave. Do not apply direct heat (heating over a stove). Do not apply hot liquid to a bowl that has been cooled (in the refrigerator for example). Do not use in dishwasher. Hand wash with mild soap and dry with soft cloth. About the Artist Emi Nakagawa hails from Miyoshi Village in Tokushima and has been creating ceramics by hand since 2020 after studying Kiyomizu-Yaki production in Kyoto. She teaches and creates crafts at a studio and school in Tokyo and is building her own studio in Tokushima. Primarily using electric powered kilns, she is still exploring her artistic styles with manipulation of clays, glazes, and firing techniques. About the Bamboo Craft Nakagawa Hirohisa – Bamboo Work Inspired by the Craft of Calligraphy and Nature Emi’s father Hirohisa Nakagawa lives in a quiet village nestled in the mountains of Tokushima, where the wind whispers and the river flows. For over 30 years, he has worked as a calligrapher. The delicate sensitivity and precision of the brush strokes have been a foundation of his work, and now, he is also focusing on bamboo crafts. The inspiration to start bamboo crafts came from a local project aimed at revitalizing fireflies in the river through environmental conservation. To protect the ecosystem, bamboo thinning was necessary. Rather than simply disposing of the bamboo, Hirohisa wanted to transform it into something new. This is how the bamboo craft creation began. Shaping, weaving, and assembling a single bamboo, he creates pieces that weave together the gifts of nature and the skillful hands, delivering works full of warmth.