Raku Pottery / Tea Bowl / Wreath of Cherry Blossom
Before you buy
The Suigenkyo Online Store carries handmade works by artisans from all over Japan.
Please note that the design, etc. may differ slightly from the photo due to the handmade nature of the product.
Please be aware that there may be a delay in reflecting the inventory of one-of-a-kind items because they are also sold by the artisans, and they may be out of stock. In such cases, we will cancel your order.
Shipping
- Orders over $150 qualify for free shipping.
- Orders under $150 will incur a shipping fee, which is automatically calculated at checkout.
Customs and VAT
- Please be aware that customs duties and VAT may apply at the time of delivery.
- The customer is responsible for the payment of any customs duties and VAT.
- Customs duties and VAT are non-refundable.
※It would be appreciated if you could check the customs duties in advance on your country's customs website.
Delivery Services
- Japan Post
- DHL
Delivery Time
- If the item is in stock, it will be dispatched within approximately one week.
- If the item is out of stock, the production time varies depending on the product. Please check the Delivery Date in the Material & Caution section of the product description.
Last updated: 9/3/2024
Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?
Product Story
General Product Information
It is a tea bowl with a drawing of cherry blossoms that seems to have a gentle resonance. Raku ware is a tea bowl designed for the tea ceremony. The tea bowl has a wide bottom, called "chasenzuri," which makes it easy to turn a tea whisk and serve tea. Also, the cup itself curves slightly inward at the rim, which prevents tea from dripping out of the bowl when drinking and makes drinking the tea elegantly.
It is formed by hand-twisting or hand-kneading, using only hands and spatulas, and is characterized by slight distortions and thick shapes. The entire shape, which is not perfect from side to side, expresses the "beauty of imperfection". There is also a rating system for matcha bowls, "Ichi-Raku, Ni-Hagi, and San-Karatsu," (means 1st rank, 2nd and 3rd) with Raku ware being the most prestigious matcha bowl.
Product History
When did these crafts start to craft?:500 years ago / 1500AD / Azuchimomoyama period in Japan
Raku ware is a type of pottery that uses the naturally occurring uneven shapes created by "twist molding" and a firing method called "drawer firing," which is rare in the world.
Raku ware was started in the Momoyama period (16th century) by Chojiro, the first generation of the Raku family. The Raku ware technique has its roots in the three-color ceramics of the Ming Dynasty in China. During the Momoyama period, pottery using such colorful three-color glazes began to be produced mainly in Kyoto, and Chojiro is thought to have been one of the potters who possessed this technique. Although no works have survived, it can be said that this man was the one who introduced the three-color glaze technique from China.
“The most prestigious tea bowl”
In fact, there is a "rank" of matcha bowls. The most prestigious matcha bowls are Raku, Hagi, and Karatsu, with Raku ware being the most prestigious.
Craftsman Story
Craftsman Profile
Yoshimura Rakunyu
Yoshimura Rakunyu is a kiln specializing in Raku ware, which is a unique type of Kiyomizu ware. They create traditional and innovative items every day, ranging from black and red Raku tea bowls, which have been valued in the world of tea ceremony since the time of Sen no Rikyu, to gorgeous painted tea bowls, daily tableware, and indoor tiles called Raku Tile.
The Yoshimura family has been making pottery in Kyoto since the Meiji era (1868-1912), but since Rakunyu, the first generation, the family has made pottery its main business, creating tea ceremony utensils such as matcha bowls and figurines. The name "Rakunyu" has been passed down from generation to generation, and Mr. Yoshimura is the third generation.
Craftsman Passion
“Developing Traditional Techniques”
We are working hard to produce "painted tea bowls," which are rare in Raku ware, and are challenging the development of unique Raku ware. We are not only preserving tradition, but also developing our techniques without being bound by them to produce products that will please our customers in the modern age.
Achievement
Selected to exhibit at the Kyoto Kiyomizuyaki Paris Exhibition
Recognized by the City of Kyoto as a "Future Master Craftsman
Your Contribution to Craftsman
Customer Voice
Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!
Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?
As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!
We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo
Measurement
Width:11.5cm
Depth:11.5cm
Height:8.5cm
Weight:287g
Material & Caution
Materials
Cray
Caution
Individual Difference
Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.
Delivery Date
Please note that it will take about three Months for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.