Zaoh Matcha Set

This set is very special to us. Each year we will release a limited number of which no two are the same. This is the one and only Zaoh Set available.

At the center of the set is 16th generation potter Hosai Matsubayashi’s tea cup (茶 碗).  For the Zaoh Set (darker shade) a mix of soils from Uji, Kyoto and Zoah, Sendai are used for the clay. Known for having high quality soil, Zoah is notable for being a place where Isamu Noguchi, one of the twentieth century's most critically acclaimed sculptors, came to source his work as well.
Carrying on the legacy of 16 generations of potters, Hosai Matsubayashi is the human embodiment of the evolution of tea culture in Japan. Known by many for creating work that retains the style rooted in traditions, he simultaneously integrates a more contemporary aspect drawing inspiration from the flow of the Uji River and the philosophy of “Kireisabi”. For this special collection we have made a documentary telling his story:

The tea caddy is made by Kaikado, a renowned brand specializing in handcrafted tea canisters since 1875. We have collaborated with 6th generation successor Takahiro Yagi to create this limited edition that was specially crafted to complement Hosai Matsubayashi’s centerpiece. Made with brass and with sleek, sharper form it is perfectly sized to hold Matcha or Hojicha powder.

The set also includes a bamboo whisk, a spoon and a intricate wooden box made by Tomoya Hyodo, a lauded craftsman specializing in “kiri” (Paulownia)  wood and tea boxes. With this design he struck the perfect balance between the traditional and modern while utilizing the root of the tree to ensure lasting quality, despite it being the most challenging and scarcest part of the tree to work with.