Tea bowl, Asahi ware

The turning point for the Matsubayashi family came during the time of 8th generation potter Matsubayashi Chōbei (?–1852), who revived the long discontinued kiln and began producing implements for use in the practice of sencha (the ritual preparation of steeped, roasted green tea), which was a popular pastime at the time. His grandson, 12th generation Matsubayashi Shōsai (1865–1932), succeeded in reviving the old tradition of producing matcha tea bowls at the Asahi kilns.