Chawan, matcha bowl or coffee cup: what's the difference?
In our shop we call our Japanese cups "coffee cups", but you may also recognise them as chawan or matcha bowls. All three terms are correct — the difference lies in where you're coming from, not in the cup itself.
What is a chawan?
Chawan (茶碗) is Japanese for "tea bowl" and is originally the cup used in the Japanese tea ceremony, usually for matcha. A traditional chawan is wide and open in shape, without a handle, so you can cup it with both hands.
What is a matcha bowl?
"Matcha bowl" is the functional English translation: a bowl specifically meant for whisking and drinking matcha. In terms of shape, a matcha bowl is almost identical to a chawan — it mostly comes down to which term you're searching for.
So why do we call it a coffee cup?
Our cups are, at 350 ml, slightly more generously sized than a traditional chawan, and most customers use them daily for coffee or tea, not exclusively for matcha. "Coffee cup" describes how most people actually use it; chawan and matcha bowl describe its origin and shape. None of the terms is wrong — they simply emphasise a different part of the same cup.
Our five variants
All five cost €22 each, hold 350 ml, and are entirely hand-shaped and hand-glazed by artisans in Japan:
| Variant | Glaze |
|---|---|
| Caramel | Honey brown, graduating from light to dark |
| Cypress | Moss green with cream speckles |
| Eclipse | Charcoal, evenly mottled |
| Swept Earth | Earthy brown with a painted white stripe |
| Winter Drift | Ivory with a lavender-blue band |
Practical: which do you choose?
- For everyday coffee or tea: any of the five variants works — they're essentially the same cup.
- For a matcha ritual: the wide, open shape without a handle is exactly what you need to whisk matcha with a chasen (bamboo whisk).
- As a gift: feel free to call it "chawan" or "matcha bowl" if the recipient is familiar with Japanese tea culture — that often lands better than "coffee cup".
Frequently asked questions
Is a chawan the same as a matcha bowl?
In practice, yes: both describe the same wide, open bowl without a handle, used for matcha. "Chawan" is the Japanese term, "matcha bowl" the English one.
Can I just use these cups for coffee?
Yes. That's exactly what they're designed for: equally suited to coffee, tea and matcha.
Why doesn't the cup have a handle?
That comes from its traditional shape: you hold it with one or two hands around the rim, which is also practical for coffee or tea.
How much does a coffee cup cost, and are all variants the same size?
All five variants (Caramel, Cypress, Eclipse, Swept Earth, Winter Drift) cost €22 each and hold the same 350 ml — only the glaze differs.