Which Chawan would you choose?

[Geekgirl]

I don't see anything particularly unusual about the foot. It's a shallow foot to match a very shallow bowl. This chawan has been on my "think about it" list for awhile now.

One observation: if you are new to matcha, you may find it more difficult (and messy) to whisk your tea in this bowl due to its shallowness. Higher sides do help.

[thibaulthalpern]

One observation: if you are new to matcha, you may find it more difficult (and messy) to whisk your tea in this bowl due to its shallowness. Higher sides do help.

Thanks! Not new to matcha whisking, but certainly not an expert. For over a year, I've been whisking my own matcha in two smooth chawan with great satisfaction. Foamy and not bubbly. GREAT!

Well, when I bought a shiragaki (sp?) chawan, the interior was so rough that it destroyed my whisk! Well, it also means that my matcha whisking technique was not that good. So, I relearnt my technique and now I can manage whisking matcha in a rough chawan without it destroying my whisk.

I'm still debating if I want to get this chawan because I do have one that is of a similar colour just taller.

I am also eyeing a raku one which is entirely black costs $120 from the same vendor. I don't have a raku style bowl, but then again, I don't have a summer style bowl like this either.

[Chip]

merged topic again ...

The shape is a bit problematic imho, it is like a Summer Chawan with vertical sides. I agree that whisking could be a mesy proposition.

Shino seem to be mostly vertical sided, so this is an attempt to create a Summer Chawan in keeping with that practice???!!!???

[Geekgirl]

If you can whisk successfully in unglazed shigaraki, you'll be an old pro for a bowl like this. I have one that is shaped similarly and really like it. It's by artist Reid Ozaki, who currently is in the Seattle area I believe. Lovely works. My bowl is 1/2" higher sides that the one you have shared, and functions like a treat. Lovely, also with a very shallow foot-ring.

I know what you mean about raku, I don't have any either, and have been watching for just the right akaraku to come along.

[thibaulthalpern]

merged topic again ...

The shape is a bit problematic, it is like a Summer Chawan with vertical sides. Shino seem to be mostly vertical sided, so this is an attempt to create a Summer Chawan in keeping with that practice???!!!???

Chip, I'm not so sure you should be merging topics like that, if I should say so.

This bowl won't get the attention that it could from other folks because it is now embedded in an older topic and also a topic that is of a different content. It's about a specific chawan and asking to evaluate its quality.

Just because it's me making the posts doesn't mean the topics are the same! Would you merge the topics if the content were the same but the posts were made by different people?

[thibaulthalpern]

If you can whisk successfully in unglazed shigaraki, you'll be an old pro for a bowl like this. I have one that is shaped similarly and really like it. It's by artist Reid Ozaki, who currently is in the Seattle area I believe. Lovely works. My bowl is 1/2" higher sides that the one you have shared, and functions like a treat. Lovely, also with a very shallow foot-ring.

I know what you mean about raku, I don't have any either, and have been watching for just the right akaraku to come along.

It's possible to whisk successfully in an unglazed shigaraki but it does take a bit more concentration and mindfulness compared to when whisking those in the smooth chawan.

In the shigaraki one, I begin to whisk slowly to ascertain how far my whisk is from the bottom of the bowl and adjust accordingly. Then I slowly speed up keeping an even level as much as I can. The whisking isn't as rigorous as when I whisk in a smooth bowl.

For me, the way I do the whisking in a shigaraki, it is harder to sensually feel when the whisking is ready. In smooth bowls, I can very easily tell when the whisking is ready because the consistency of the froth along with the harder whisking gives me a bit of resistance alerting me that it is ready. Not so much in a shigaraki bowl, at least with my entry-level way of whisking.

[AdamMY]

Chip, I'm not so sure you should be merging topics like that, if I should say so.

As people are notified when there are new posts in a topic by the different icon in front of the post, people will realize there is a new post. Plus these three topics are all centered around "You searching for a new chawan" Keeping that in mind the three topics should be one. Plus its in my mind easier as people can comment on this thread encompassing everything, as opposed to commenting in three different threads.

Also as you seem to be refining your own taste, or options, it would make peoples responses to older topics not relevant, if they are not all one thread.

[Chip]

[EDIT]: well stated by Adam. Thank you.

thibaulthalpern, the topic is virtualy the same ... you are trying to choose a Chawan? You stated this in your "new topic." This creates a continuity to your quest/topic. One topic that is easy to follow versus three that would be hard to piece together chronologically, especially if each contined to receive replies.

There is no point in having 3 intricately related topics to discuss your buying of a single Chawan. We are quite capable of following along in a single thread ... versus the confusion of having 3 intricately related topics running at the same time.

[thibaulthalpern]

Well, I don't agree with the assessment but merge ahead.

I don't agree because some folks might not be interested in clicking on the topic "Which Chawan would you choose" as opposed to one that asks them to evaluate the quality of a particular chawan. That's how I browse forums anyway. There are lots of topics with new posts in them which I don't click on because the topics don't interest me.

Sounds to me we have a disagreement on how to classify things but in any case, I don't play the role of a moderator, so I've stated my case and that's all I can do.

[davidv7]

Like Chip said it is a summer chawan for tea in the hot months. The area of tea to air is bigger so the tea cools more quickly.
If it is good made there must be no problem with whisking.
I am looking at it also since I dont have a summer one
Have You seen the Raku ones from the same seller?

[chicagopotter]

Well, I don't agree with the assessment but merge ahead.

I don't agree because some folks might not be interested in clicking on the topic "Which Chawan would you choose" as opposed to one that asks them to evaluate the quality of a particular chawan.

I believe you can always edit the title of this thread to something else by just changing the subject above.

[Chip]

Just because it's me making the posts doesn't mean the topics are the same! Would you merge the topics if the content were the same but the posts were made by different people?

Sorry I missed your question.

Yes, I do and have actually in the last several days. Either that or I will ask the new topic poster to repost in the existing topic and I lock and move the new topic.

This is certainly not about you, so please do not take it that way.

Also, this is not an "old topic" as there are much older topics. The topic must carry the conversation with the encouragement of the original poster and the assistance of other members who are interested in the topic.

Well, I don't agree with the assessment but merge ahead.

I don't agree because some folks might not be interested in clicking on the topic "Which Chawan would you choose" as opposed to one that asks them to evaluate the quality of a particular chawan.

I believe you can always edit the title of this thread to something else by just changing the subject above.

You can either change the entire topic title or the reply topic.

[thibaulthalpern]

Like Chip said it is a summer chawan for tea in the hot months. The area of tea to air is bigger so the tea cools more quickly.
If it is good made there must be no problem with whisking.
I am looking at it also since I dont have a summer one
Have You seen the Raku ones from the same seller?

I have seen the raku ones from the same seller. I like them, but I'm also a little hesitant because in a way the kuro raku s/he has looks a little perfect! Or maybe it's just my eyes. I do prefer something more organic looking.

[thibaulthalpern]

No problem, Chip.

[thibaulthalpern]

Okay, so I'm kinda settling in on this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 293wt_1167




What do you guys think? Is it too "perfect"? Does it lack more wabi sabi?