Japanese Antiquities

Rare Japanese Boxes – Plates – Swords – Vases

Antique Japanese Bowls - Endless Possibility in Simplicity

One of the simplest innovations in engineering and design, Japanese bowls have been used for innumerable purposes, starting with tea. Tea was first introduced to Japanese monks who studied in Chinese Buddhist monasteries during the 8^th century, and handle-free tea bowls made from clay were first used to pass the hot and stimulating beverage from one monk to another as an act of communion. By the late 1900s, fashionable women were learning the intricacies of the tea ceremony as part of their cultural education, and all of England was sipping from delicate and ornately decorated china teacups.

A global appreciation for antique Japanese bowls has led to their many uses today: eating, drinking, decorative storage for small household items, or simply as an artful piece in a home. Large Japanese bowls are perfect for individual servings of noodle or rice dishes or miso soup. Or use a set of small, shallow Japanese bowls for various dipping sauces or desserts. Surprise your guests with a table full of eclectic Japanese bowls at your next dinner party, and watch as the dishes easily become a conversation piece. Whether your meal is inspired by the traditional stylings of Japanese bowls and dinnerware, or you'd just like to add something unique to the table, using just one or a collection from the Japanese bowls listed here is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Fill a Japanese bowl with floating candles or fresh cut flowers for the middle of the dining table to complete the look.

From fine, flawless porcelain to rustic bowls in earthy colors that rest solidly in the hands, you'll find an unparalleled collection of Japanese bowls here. Take a moment to browse through, and you'll come away inspired.