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.
