Everything You Need to Know About Matcha Bowls

In the Japanese tea ceremony, everything revolves around the matcha bowl. This is the perfect bowl for preparing matcha tea.

In this article, we are going to take a quick look at what the matcha bowl is, the different types of matcha bowls and why you may want to get one.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

 

Watch the Matcha Bowls Video

 

Different kinds of matcha bowls

How to choose matcha bowl essentially comes down to the matcha bowl shape and aesthetic style you are looking for. There are a few different types of matcha bowl out there, and we’re going to walk you through the most common matcha bowl shapes. 

Wan-nari - Wooden Matcha bowl shape

The Wan-nari matcha bowl looks more like a typical cereal bowl. It is tapered off towards the bottom, which actually gives you slightly less space to whisk the matcha tea. The benefit of this matcha mixing bowl is that it tends to be lighter and therefore easy to move around.

Mayu-gata (繭形) - Cocoon matcha bowl shape

This matcha bowl is similar in style to the wan-nari, but it has a “waist” to make it easier to hold and give it a unique shape. These matcha bowls have plenty of space at the base for whisking, but they are tapered off towards the middle to make them easier to hold.

Tsutsu-gata - Cylinder matcha bowl shape

The Tsutsu-gata matcha bowl is the more iconic matcha bowl with the cylindrical shape. This cylindrical macha bowl is good because as we mentioned before it gives you a lot of space at the bottom to whisk the tea. The downside is that it tends to be a bit heavier than the Wan-nari

Hantstsu-gata - Half Cylinder matcha bowl shape

These half-cylinder matcha bowls are a good compromise between the fully cylindrical matcha bowls and the wider matcha bowls. It’s not quite as heavy or as tall as the tsutsu-gata, but still has steeper sides that prevent spilling.

Ido Chawan - Korean Traditional Matcha Bowls

These 16th-century matcha bowls are modeled after Korean rice bowls, but they rustic elegance made them a good fit for the Japanese tea ceremony. This shape is characterized by its taller foot and cone shaped profile. They also tend to have grooves traveling up the bowl in a spiral formation to reflect the potters fingers. 

Dojimari-gata - Waisted matcha bowl shape

These waisted matcha bowls are similar to the hantsutsu-gata but with a deeper cut in the middle. This makes the matcha bowls ergonomical and very comfortable to hold in your hands.

Tenmoku Matcha Bowls - Chinese traditional matcha bowls

These conical matcha bowls were some of the original matcha bowls brought in from China. They feature a tall foot, a slightly flared lip, spiralized grooves and simplistic glaze styles that contrast nicely with the whisked tea. 

Hira-gata - Flat matcha bowl shape

These flatter matcha bowls are perfect for warmer months, because they give the matcha more surface area and allow it to cool faster. The disadvantage of these bowls is that they make it easier to splash matcha out of the bowl when whisking.

Kutsu-gata Irregular types of matcha bowls

These types of matcha bowls are the ultimate embodiment of the wabi-sabi aesthetic and they have a completely irregular shape. Sometimes they are called the clog shaped matcha bowls, but usually these irregular types of matcha bowls don’t look like anything specific.

They can almost function like a matcha bowl with spout because the corners of it can sometimes be used to pour the matcha without spilling.

Spouted matcha bowl

The matcha bowl with spout can be useful when it comes to serving matcha tea for guests. With this matcha bowl, you are meant to whisk up the matcha tea just as you would in any other bowl, but then you can pour it into a series of cups. The matcha bowl with spout is good if you prefer to use it as a matcha mixing bowl and not drink out of the bowl directly.

Whether you get a matcha bowl with or without spout depends on whether you want form or function. The matcha bowl with spout is perfect for pouring the matcha into cups after you’ve made it, but there is a less traditional look to it. The decision to get a matcha bowl with or without spout can be a tricky one, but either way you’re in good hands!

 

How to choose matcha bowl 

Now let’s review the factors that go into how to choose a matcha bowl, so you can find the absolute best bowl for matcha. 

Shape

The most important factor for how to choose matcha bowl comes down to the matcha bowl shape. This will impact your matcha making more than anything else, so make sure you take the time to really find the best matcha bowl shape. 

What makes a good matcha bowl shape all comes down to personal preference, so we can’t tell you the best matcha bowl shape, you have to decide for yourself.

Design

The matcha bowl design is perhaps the second most important factor when you’re looking for the best matcha bowl. 

Material

You also want to make sure you find the best material for matcha bowl. What makes a good matcha bowl material comes down to heat retention and texture, and their Gifu clay takes the cake. If you’re looking for the best matcha bowl, you may want to look here. 

 

Best material for matcha bowl (matcha bowl design)

Before we talk about how to choose a matcha bowl, we also need to find the best material for matcha bowl. This will impact not only the feel of the matcha bowl, but also the glaze effects that are possible. 

Clay and ceramic are considered the best material for matcha bowl because of their heat retention and versatility and feldspar and quarry are often used as supplementary materials. 

Gifu Clay

Gifu clay is considered to be the best material for matcha bowls due to its ideal texture, which helps whisk matcha smoothly and retain the right amount of heat.

It also offers aesthetic beauty through traditional Japanese glazes like Shino and Oribe, reflecting wabi-sabi values.

With centuries of ceramic craftsmanship, bowls made from Gifu clay are both functional and deeply rooted in Japanese tea culture.

 

How to use matcha bowl 

How to use a matcha bowl involves a few key steps to ensure the best possible tea experience. Here’s a guide on how to prepare matcha using a chawan:

Preparing the matcha

Preheating the Bowl: The best material for matcha bowl happens to be very thick clay, which absorbs heat. All you need to do is splash some hot water into your matcha bowl and let it sit for about 1 minute. Once the matcha bowl has been preheated, it can keep your matcha warm for longer periods of time.

Step by step tutorial

Sift the Matcha

Now it’s time to learn how to make a matcha bowl. Add 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of matcha powder to a sifter and sift it into the matcha bowl using the bamboo spoon or chashaku. This is a key step to how to use matcha bowl because it removes the clumps and ensures a smooth, creamy texture.

Add Water

Pour hot water (about 70-80°C) into the bowl. The amount of water you use personal preference and the types of matcha bowls you are using, but typically 70ml of water (about ⅓ cup) is sufficient.

Whisk the Matcha

This is the most important step when it comes to how to use a matcha bowl. Using a bamboo whisk, whisk the matcha in a zigzag motion until a frothy layer forms on the surface. 

This is not a matcha mixing bowl, you are quickly whisking the matcha to aerate the tea. When it comes to how to make a matcha bowl, the goal is to create a smooth, even mixture with a thick foam on top.

Serving

This step will differ whether you make a matcha bowl with or without spout. Once the matcha is prepared, take a moment to appreciate the bowl's beauty and craftsmanship before sipping the tea directly from the bowl. If you have a matcha bowl with spout, you can pour it into a small matcha cup and serve it to guests.

How to pour matcha from bowl can be difficult if you font have a matcha with spout, so it’s best to just drink it out of the bowl.

Maintaining the best matcha bowl

The best material for matcha bowl requires a lot of care and attention to maintain its look and functionality. Here are a few steps you can use to clean even the best matcha bowls.

Hand Wash Only: Always wash the bowl by hand with warm water and a soft cloth. Avoid using soap, as it can leave residues that affect the taste of the tea.

Avoid Abrasives: Do not use abrasive sponges or brushes, as they can damage the bowl's glaze.

Dry Thoroughly: Ensure the bowl is completely dry before storing it to prevent mold and mildew.

 

The matcha bowl in the Japanese tea ceremony

The matcha bowl is one of the utensils used in the Japanese tea ceremony. The Japanese tea ceremony is where the japanese matcha bowls first became famous, but now they are mostly used in tea shops and in homes all around the world.

Although it is very simplistically designed, what makes a matcha bowl special is a few great features that make matcha preparation easier and more enjoyable. The bowl is usually made out of clay, but it is not uncommon to see a ceramic matcha bowl as well.

Can you use any bowl for matcha?

So can you use any bowl for matcha? While the chawan matcha bowl is the best bowl for whisking up matcha tea, if you don’t have one, you can use whatever bowl you have around the house. 

Once matcha preparation becomes a part of your daily routine, you may want to invest in a good quality matcha mixing bowl. You will not only notice a difference in the quality of the matcha, but you’ll also be adding a more soothing aesthetic to your matcha routine.

 

Origins of Matcha Bowls

Now that we’ve discussed what is a matcha bowl, let’s take a brief journey through its origins. The best matcha bowls weren’t always made in Japan. For centuries, matcha bowls were traded around East Asia and Japanese artisans took inspiration from Chinese and Korean bowls to produce their own unique style.

Chinese-Inspired Matcha Bowls (Karamono)

When tea first arrived in Japan, so did Chinese matcha bowls. Known as karamono (“Tang objects”), these were highly prized and imitated by Japanese potters.

Tenmoku is the most iconic style of matcha bowls. Deep and conical with a small foot, these bowls are famous for their mesmerizing dark glazes. You’ll see effects like “hare’s fur” streaks, shimmering “oil spots,” or the rare, cosmic “yōhen” glaze. Though originally from China’s Song Dynasty, the tenmoku style matcha bowls became central to formal Japanese tea ceremonies.

Another admired style is celadon, smooth bowls with a pale blue-green glaze, known for their serene beauty. These were initially elegant Chinese wares, but later, imperfect celadon matcha bowls became cherished in Japan for their rustic charm.

Korean-Influenced Matcha Bowls (Kōraimono)

The concept of what is a matcha bowl changed as Japanese tea aesthetics took a major turn in the 15th–16th centuries. This era saw the adoption of Korean peasant bowls as matcha bowls. These rougher, more organic pieces, often not originally made for tea, resonated with the Japanese ideal of wabi-sabi, or seeing the beauty in imperfection.

The most celebrated are the Ido chawan matcha bowls, thick and slightly uneven, with a tall foot and soft, beige glaze. Originally everyday rice bowls in Korea, they became symbols of rustic elegance in Japan, perfect for matcha bowls.

Other Korean techniques embraced by tea masters include:

• Mishima matcha bowls – Delicate patterns stamped or carved into the clay, filled with white slip.
• Hakeme matcha making bowl – Slip applied with coarse brushes, leaving bold, expressive strokes.
• Kohiki matcha making bowl – Warm white bowls dipped in slip, known for developing a soft patina over time.
• Irabo matcha mixing bowl – Coarse, stony bowls with textured yellow-brown glazes.
• Zōganseiji (Inlaid Celadon) – Elegant but less common in tea rooms, often featuring cranes or floral motifs.
• Goshomaru Matcha Bowls – Rare Korean-made bowls with distorted shapes and angular feet, possibly made to Japanese order.

Japanese-Made Bowls (Wamono)

By the late 1500s, Japanese artisans began creating their own chawan matcha bowls. These reflected the values of the tea ceremony: subtlety, imperfection, and individuality.

Key styles of these Japanese matcha bowls include:

• Raku – Hand-molded and low-fired, these matcha bowls are lightweight, soft in shape, and deeply tied to the spirit of tea. Black (kuro-raku) and red (aka-raku) are most common.
• Shino – Japan’s first white glaze, often milky with soft orange accents and a gentle, textured surface on the matcha bowls.
• Oribe – Bold, asymmetrical matcha bowls with green or black glazes and playful painted designs. Their warped shapes celebrate imperfection. This style is named after one of Sen no Rikyu’s disciples.
• Hagi – Pale, porous matcha bowls that change with use, revealing new colors over time. Known for their quiet warmth and natural feel.
• Karatsu – Rustic matcha making bowl with earthy glazes and simple painted motifs. Chosen-karatsu bowls blend white and dark glazes for a dramatic look.

 

Where to buy a matcha bowl

If you are looking for a matcha bowl, you can find them all over our website. We have a few different types of matcha sets, so you can save money while you get all the teaware you need to make the perfect matcha tea bowls.

The matcha bowls are separated by color, pattern and shape, so you can easily find one to meet your unique preferences.

If you want to learn more about matcha bowls before you buy, keep reading! We're going to teach you everything you need to know about Japanese matcha bowls.