Distinctive-Form Chaire with Shokko-mon Shifuku – Koicha Matcha Caddy

Distinctive-Form Cha-ire with Shokko-mon Shifuku

A distinctive Japanese Cha-ire (茶入) with a sculptural, asymmetrical form, accompanied by a woven shifuku (仕覆) featuring the traditional Shokko-mon (蜀甲文) pattern.

Unlike more standardized cha-ire forms, this piece is characterized by its individual silhouette and expressive shape. The subtle irregularity gives the vessel a strong presence and allows it to be appreciated from different angles, highlighting the relationship between form, glaze, and firing.

A cha-ire is traditionally used to hold matcha for the preparation of koicha (thick tea) and holds an important place among the utensils selected for Chanoyu. Its ceramic form, glaze, lid, and accompanying shifuku are all considered part of the complete aesthetic presentation.

Shokko-mon Shifuku

The accompanying shifuku features Shokko-mon (蜀甲文), a classical geometric textile pattern with roots in designs transmitted to Japan from continental Asia.

Characterized by repeating geometric forms, Shokko patterns have long been admired in Japanese textiles and decorative arts for their formal, balanced appearance. The pattern is particularly well suited to the small scale of a cha-ire shifuku, where its intricate geometry can be appreciated closely.

The shifuku is made from a blended woven textile (交織), in which different types of fibers are woven together to create the fabric.

The combination of the expressive ceramic form and the structured geometric pattern of the Shokko-mon shifuku creates an appealing contrast between organic form and textile design.

A distinctive choice for koicha, chakai, and Chanoyu, as well as for collectors of Japanese tea ceramics.

Details

• Type: Cha-ire (茶入)

• Form: Distinctive / Sculptural Form

• Use: Koicha / Thick Tea

• Includes: Shifuku (仕覆)

• Shifuku Textile: Kosyoku (交織) – Blended Woven Textile

• Shifuku Pattern: Shokko-mon (蜀甲文)

• Made in Japan