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.
Chawan Jikinyu
Raku Kichizaemon XV
SKU
0280
A contemporary Raku-yaki Chawan tea bowl by Raku Kichizaemon XV, aka Jikinyū (b.1949). Handmade in Kyoto, this sculptural Chawan has an uneven form with a grey, rock-like appearance and black markings.
| Artist | Raku Kichizaemon XV (Jikinyū) 十五代 樂 吉左衛門 (直入) |
|---|---|
| Item | Chawan tea bowl |
| Period | Late 20th to early 21st century |
| Origin | Kyoto, Japan |
| Style | Raku-yaki |
| Material | Ceramic |
| Dimensions | Ø13.3 x 10.8cm |
| Weight | 517g |
| Artist's mark | Double circle Raku seal to base |
| Packaging | Lacquered wooden box, Kiribako |
This masterpiece is part of the Yoshi en Private Collection, shown here for display only and is not for sale.
In stock
Raku Kichizaemon XV
Contemporary ceramic artist Jikinyū was born in 1949, the eldest son of Kakunyū (1918-1980). After graduating from the Sculptural Department at the Tokyo University of Fine Arts in 1973, he furthered his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. Between 1981 and 2019, he assumed the position of 15th head of the Raku family. Sculptural and avant-garde, his work seeks to find new modes of expression in the traditional Chawan. In 2007 he designed the Raku Kichizaemon Pavilion for the Sagawa Art Museum in Kyoto, where he frequently exhibits.
The Raku family traces its roots back to Tanaka Chōjirō: a 16th century Kyoto-based tile-maker who developed Raku bowls in collaboration with foremost Japanese tea master, Sen no Rikyu. After Chōjirō's death, his successor Jōkei, was bestowed the Raku seal (樂) and name by Prince Hideyoshi, which, 450 years and sixteen generations later, continues to identify the work of the Raku family today.
Chawan 茶碗
The tea bowl, known as a Chawan (茶碗: "tea bowl") or Matchawan (抹茶椀: "matcha tea bowl") in Japanese, originated in China and began to be imported to Japan in the 13th century. To this day, Chawan are used in the Japanese tea ceremony to prepare and serve Koicha (濃茶): a thick, dark tea made with the finest matcha, as well as Usucha (薄茶): a thinner, frothier version – or how matcha is typically prepared for everyday drinking. Chawan come in a variety of shapes and regional styles, sometimes with the addition of seasonal motifs, making them popular items to collect.
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