Chawan Kuroraku - Chawan Made of Kyoto Ware

Deep, velvety black and a warm shimmer of rust red combine on this tea bowl to create a play of color of great intensity. Kuroraku, the black variant of Raku ware, ranks among the oldest and most esteemed traditions of Japanese tea ceramics and is traditionally shaped by hand rather than thrown on the potter's wheel – hence the characteristically irregular, soft silhouette of this chawan.

The thick-walled, hemispherical form rests comfortably in the hand and was originally developed specifically for the tea ceremony, where grip and heat retention play an important role. The deep black glaze, in some places interspersed with reddish breakthroughs, results from the quick removal of the bowl from the glowing kiln – a process that deliberately leaves room for chance and makes each piece unique.

This Kyoto ware comes in a wooden box signed by the master potter, which encloses the piece with dignity and ensures safe storage. Those who appreciate the meditative calm of the Japanese tea tradition will find in this Kuroraku chawan an object of timeless, almost archaic beauty.