Midnight Stillness Shiboridashi

Rendered in soft charcoal-black clay, this handmade shiboridashi has a restrained, almost meditative appearance. Its broad, shallow bowl rests on a small foot, with gently rising walls that end in a rounded rim. A low, domed lid fits neatly inside, its fine concentric lines and small mushroom-shaped knob lending subtle definition to the otherwise smooth surface.

A delicate pouring lip is shaped into the rim, making it possible to decant tea directly from the bowl. The lid can be held slightly open to keep the leaves inside as the infusion pours. The unglazed black surface gives the simple silhouette a particularly quiet, understated character.

Holding 50 ml, this shiboridashi is ideal for preparing small, concentrated infusions of Japanese green tea, allowing close attention to each brewing.

Explore more pieces in the Midnight collection: Midnight Echo Kyusu, Midnight Ripple Kyusu, Midnight Strata Cup.

Written by Sven

About Gyokko

Founded in 1961, Gyokko is a family-run shokunin pottery workshop in Tokoname, one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns. Now in its third generation, the studio produces handmade Japanese teaware, including kyusu teapots, shiboridashi and tea cups, combining traditional craftsmanship with precision, functionality and understated beauty.

The production of a Gyokko teapot involves around 40 steps, shared among experienced craftspeople. The body, lid, spout and handle are individually shaped and carefully assembled. Particular attention is paid to the fit of the lid, the angle of the spout for a clean pour, and the position of the handle for comfortable use. The result is teaware that combines the subtle character of handmade ceramics with the reliability and refinement of skilled craftsmanship.

Below is a video of our visit to the Gyokko workshop in Tokoname, where we commissioned the teaware pieces now available at the Nannuoshan shop.

Japanese teaware categories

Japanese teaware can broadly be distinguished into three categories: kikai, commercially produced teaware; shokunin, handmade pieces made by skilled craftspeople; and sakka, works by individual ceramic artists.

Gyokko belongs to the shokunin tradition, where a master develops original designs that skilled potters reproduce entirely by hand. The emphasis is on technical mastery, functionality, and ergonomics. Rather than creating one-of-a-kind art objects, the workshop produces carefully designed pieces that excel in handling and pouring, combining remarkable consistency with the craftsmanship of handmade teaware at an accessible price.

Learn more about the three levels of Japanese pottery in this video.