Chawan Chawan Made of Raku Ware by Shichibei Kiyomizu

Toward the end of the 19th century, in the final years of the Meiji period, this Raku ware tea bowl was created by the hand of master potter Shichibei Kiyomizu. Its deep dark, almost aubergine-black glaze, which transitions toward the rim into a warm reddish-brown, testifies to the reducing atmosphere of the Raku firing, in which the pieces are taken from the glowing kiln and rapidly cooled.

The low firing temperature of the Raku process allows the clay to retain its softness, which is reflected in the hand-pleasing, slightly irregular shape of the bowl. The narrow, clearly defined foot and the matte shimmering surface lend the piece a quiet, concentrated presence, as it is valued in the tea ceremony in the spirit of wabi-sabi.

The tea bowl comes in a wooden box signed by the master potter, which documents its provenance and at the same time serves as a dignified place of storage. As a testament to Japanese ceramic art of the late 19th century, it combines craft tradition with the timeless aesthetic of chanoyu culture.