Matcha Bowl
Nonkou Chidori

Studio Shoraku

SKU
4318
Original Japanese raku yaki matcha bowl (matchawan; 抹茶碗) in black, handmade by Studio Shōraku. Tall, elegant kuro raku bowl by Shōraku Sasaki for tea ceremony, decorated with two dots symbolising the footprints of the Kentish plover (chidori; 千鳥).
Product Black raku-yaki chawan tea bowl
Studio/Artist Shōraku
Origin Kyoto, Japan
Colour/Glaze -
Dimensions Ø12.5 x 7.5cm
Weight 400g
Artist's Stamp Yes
Packaging Gift box
  Each item is handmade therefore size, colour and glazing may vary slightly.
€429.90

Delivery : 1–3 business days

Incl. VAT, excl. Shipping

SKU
4318
In stock

Producer

Shōraku 昭楽

The Shõraku Kiln was founded in Kyoto in 1903 and is one of the most respected traditional raku manufacturers in Japan. The bowls correspond in a special way to the wabi-sabi aesthetic, which comes first for good raku bowls. Shoraku Sasaki, born in 1944, is the third generation of the family to run the studio.

Production

Raku-Yaki 楽焼

Raku-yaki is a Japanese term used to describe short-fired, lead-glazed pottery intended for tea ceremonies and usually freely moulded by hand. It was initially produced only in the colours red ("aka-raku") and black ("kuro-raku"). Later, white and amber and occassionally Oribe green raku bowls began to be produced. Red and black are considered the best complementary colours for the bright green matcha.

Raku bowls have a soft and warm feeling, and are capable of absorbing a lot of moisture, allowing them to gain patina and beauty over time. They are considered the most noble bowls for the tea ceremony. The first raku bowl is said to have been made around 1579 by the brickmaker Chōjirô under the guidance of the great tea master Sen no Rikyû. After his death, Chōjirô was honoured by Prince Hideyoshi by bestowing the raku seal on his successor, Jôkai. Since then, the Jôkai family has used the name Raku and still produces this exceptional tea pottery in Kyoto.

Kuro-Raku 黒楽

For black raku (kuro-raku; 黒楽), a special rough clay with a high iron and manganese content and sand from the Kamigawa River in Kyoto is used. The clay is dug and stored by the raku family for following generations. Several layers of glaze (kamogawa-ishi) are applied by cutting and pressing, and are finally covered with a raku transparent glaze. The firing temperature is relatively high at 1,200-1,250°C. The red hot bowl is removed after only 8-10 minutes, and is quickly cooled in the air. The result is a non-sintered, high-fired earthenware. Authentic kuro-raku bowls have a slight unevenness on the side where they are cut out.

It is thought that the special black shade of the bowl brings out the bright green of the matcha most clearly.

Care

As raku-yaki wares are porous, they should only be washed with lukewarm water and no detergent. Clean immediately after use to prevent stains. Do not soak as this may cause the tea bowl to fall apart.

Product Details

Chawan 茶碗

The tea bowl, known as a chawan or matchawan, originated in China and began to be imported to Japan in the 13th century. To this day the chawan is used in the Japanese tea ceremony to serve koicha: a thick, dark tea made with the finest matcha, as well as usucha: a thinner, frothier, diluted version – how matcha is more typically prepared. Chawan come in a variety of shapes and regional styles, sometimes with the addition of seasonal motifs, making them popular collectors' items.

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