Almost exclusively used for tea ceremonies, traditional Japanese Raku is a special type of hand-moulded, lead-glazed pottery that is quick-fired at low temperatures then rapidly cooled in air or water to give it its characteristic soft, warm texture. Designed to reflect the sobriety of the Wabi-cha aesthetic championed by Japanese tea master, Sen no Rikyu, Raku bowls were originally produced, without ornament, in black or red – colours believed to bring out the vibrant green of Matcha most beautifully.
Kuro-Raku 黒楽
Black or Kuro Raku tea bowls are coated in an opaque glaze traditionally made from iron- and manganese-rich stones from the Kamo river in Kyoto (Kamogawa-ishi). After applying several layers of glaze, the bowl is fired at around 1200°C for 5 to 10 minutes. The red hot bowl is then removed from the kiln with tongs – often leaving small marks on the bowl’s surface – and cooled in air or water.
