Chawan Chawan Made of Kuro-Raku by Shoraku Sasaki, Wavy Rim

The deep, velvety blackness of classic Raku ware from Kyoto radiates a quiet, almost mystical power in this chawan by Sasaki Shoraku. Sasaki Shoraku, a master of the venerable Raku lineage that has been connected to the tea ceremony for generations, creates works that capture the essence of low-fired, hand-formed clay. His pieces are characterized by a deliberate reduction to the essential: matte and glossy contrasts, subtle color nuances within the black, and a touch of gold that acts like distant stars in the night – an aesthetic that embodies wabi-sabi in its purest form and invites the viewer to stillness.

The vessel presents itself in a compact, slightly bulging shape with an irregular, wavy rim that offers a natural, ergonomic fit when held. The surface is covered by a dense, deep black glaze that runs in broad, glossy bands and shimmers metallically in some places. Beneath it, golden and bronze-colored accents flash through – small, seemingly randomly distributed spots and speckles that, combined with bluish reflections, create a vivid depth. The matte, porous texture of the clay contrasts with the high-gloss areas and invites one not only to look at the piece, but above all to touch and feel it.

As a handcrafted unique work by a respected Raku master, this chawan is delivered in a signed wooden box, underscoring its origin and its value for connoisseurs. It is ideally suited for preparing matcha, where the reduced form, the cool weight of the clay, and the subtle poetry of color deepen the ritual and convey a particular inner calm. With each use, the object gains even more character through gentle patina and traces of touch, becoming a quiet, timeless companion of Japanese aesthetics.