Yoru 夜 Katakuchi — Shitoro-yaki by Rito Aoshima

Named Yoru, the Japanese word for night, this piece takes its name from the deep, uneven black of its glaze — rich and shadowed in the way only hand-firing can produce, with a character that shifts from every angle.

Handcrafted by Rito Aoshima, a second-generation potter working in the Shitoro-yaki tradition of Shizuoka — a pottery lineage with over 900 years of history. His studio is built around a noborigama, a rising kiln fired at extreme temperatures that give each piece its depth and individuality.

The katakuchi solves a simple problem in matcha preparation: sharing beyond a single bowl. Where a traditional chawan makes pouring imprecise, the subtle spout allows matcha to be poured cleanly into smaller cups, minimizing waste and keeping the tea intact. It's especially suited for serving matcha to more than one person. Beyond matcha, it also works as a yuzamashi (water-cooling vessel) — pour hot water in, let it cool to temperature, then transfer to your teapot, a common step when brewing Japanese green teas.

Origin: Shizuoka, Japan
Tradition: Shitoro-yaki
Potter: Rito Aoshima, 2nd generation
Kiln: Noborigama (rising kiln)
Dimensions: 5.5" diameter x 2.5" height
Capacity: Holds up to 10 fl oz (300ml); ~3 fl oz (90ml) recommended for whisking matcha
Material: Ceramic
Care: Hand wash only. Do not use a harsh scrubber. Not dishwasher or microwave safe.

As each piece is handcrafted, slight variations in glaze and form are part of its character — no two are exactly alike.