Hissen-gata Chawan – The bowl of the flowing brush

The Hissen-gata chawan is a tribute to movement. "Hissen" (筆線) literally means "brushstroke"—and that's exactly what this bowl looks like: formed from a single fluid, rhythmic stroke.

It symbolizes the connection between tea ceremony and calligraphy , two arts that are often considered sisters in Japanese thinking: both require concentration, gesture, emptiness and presence.

Shape & Characteristics

Hissen-gata has an asymmetrically curved silhouette , often with a dynamic curve, as if drawn by a brush. Its contours are soft but not arbitrary: they follow an inner rhythm, a direction.

Typical are:

• a slightly inclined wall that rises more strongly on one side

• an irregular edge , as if it had been created by lifting a brush

• a slightly sloping floor line that suggests movement, even when stationary

This bowl is not static – it appears alive, as if captured in a moment of transition.

Historical background

Hissen-gata developed in the late Edo period , presumably under the influence of tea masters who were also calligraphers. In those circles, the act of beating tea was compared to typing a kanji : both required inner balance, breath control, and devotion to the moment.

Such bowls were not intended for formal schools , but for expressive tea masters who understood the tea path as an art form.

Materials & Glaze

The Hissen-gata is often manufactured in workshops that show an affinity for freedom of form:

• Karatsu ware with iron-spotted glaze

• Raku-Yaki with a matte, often broken surface

• More modern interpretations in Bizen or Hagi with natural firing marks

The glaze is usually partially flowing , revealing structure and movement, following the gesture of the form. The kōdai (foot) is often irregular or offset.

Function & Meaning

The Hissen-gata is suitable for both usucha and koicha, depending on the depth of the wall. However, its expression makes it ideal for:

• Informal tea ceremonies with artistic aspirations

• Encounters with calligraphers, artists or philosophers

• Tea in the context of exhibitions or performances

It is less a classic vessel than an object between function and gesture.

Symbolism & Effect

This bowl embodies flow, expression, and individuality . It's for hosts who see tea not just as a ritual, but as a moment of creative encounter.

It is closely connected to the idea of "Hitsuzendō" —the path of Zen through the brush. In this sense, it is not just a bowl, but also a poem in clay.