Vintage Japanese Mino-ware Chawan Tea Ceremony Bowl Ceramic 4.5" Calligraphy Fudo w/ Kiri Wood Box

This is a Vintage Japanese hand built calligraphy-decorated chawan.

Height: 3.25"
Diameter: 4.5"

Seasonal Use: All-seasons (medium-walled, rounded shape)

Type: Calligraphy-themed chawan in the Oribe/Mino tradition

Kiln: Unknown studio kiln; likely Mino-region or similar

Clay: High-iron stoneware with feldspar inclusions and a tight, sandy texture

Glaze: Clear natural ash glaze over buff-gray clay, with black iron-oxide brushwork

Motif: Hand-painted Buddhist calligraphy reading 不動明王 (Fudō Myōō) — the “Immovable Wisdom King,” a fierce and protective deity from esoteric Japanese Buddhism, symbolizing discipline, clarity, and unshakable focus

Name: Not explicitly named

Artist: 雲庵 (Un’an)

Footmark: Artist’s impressed lotus flower seal with stylized characters, located near the footring

Other Markings: The number 七十六 ("76") is written near the seal — possibly an edition number or symbolic reference

Box Signed By: The same artist (Un’an), with a red seal that matches the footmark on the bowl

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Detail

Calligraphy Motif on the Bowl:
The large black-brushed kanji encircling the bowl reads:
不動明王 (Fudō Myōō) — the Immovable One.
This wrathful figure is a guardian in Shingon and Tendai Buddhism, often called upon for protection from delusion and inner disturbance. Having his name on a chawan implies a meditative, protective presence in the tea space.

Box Inscription:

Reads: 雲庵造 (Un’an-zō) — “Made by Un’an”

Artist's red seal is stamped on the front of the box and corresponds directly to the impressed lotus seal on the chawan

Foot Details:

Features a unique pressed lotus seal, faint but clearly symbolic — a traditional sign of Buddhist purity or enlightenment

Hand-brushed 七十六 (“76”) is also present near the foot, possibly denoting the artist's age, an edition number, or symbolic numbering

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This is a vintage Japanese Showa era hand made chawan with original kiri wood presentation box, featuring bold Zen calligraphy, sacred iconography, and a grounded, rustic elegance. A powerful and spiritual piece for tea practitioners, calligraphy lovers, or collectors of Buddhist ceramics.