This is an old Karatsu matcha bowl. It is a well-used matcha bowl. Because Karatsu ware is popular, imitations of Madara Karatsu and E-Karatsu are circulating. The exposed clay at the base, the crescent-shaped foot, and the craquelure are not factors in determining authenticity. Even genuine pieces often have glaze covering the entire underside of the foot, and some bowls have no craquelure. Also, my teacher told me that imitations of E-Karatsu have one characteristic: those with faded paintings are usually fake. He said that imitations often lack the sense of speed in brushstrokes and appear clumsy. This bowl was purchased from an antique dealer, but I was able to buy it at a bargain price because it has no box. There are no noticeable scratches or stains. Diameter: 12.3cm Height: 7.2cm