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Prestigious RAKU YAKI (Matcha Bowls): Now Available

We, Hibiki-an have collaborated with Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai Kiln which produces avantgarde and novel Raku-yaki not restricted by traditional style while still adhering to traditional techniques. Raku-yaki is regarded as the most prestigious and highest ranked earthenware in the tea ceremony.
This time, we are fortunate to be able to offer two limited edition of Avantgarde RAKU YAKI bowls made by Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai Kiln. At same time we added four new items of Traditional RAKU YAKI Bowls made by Shouraku Sasaki at Shouraku Kiln.
You will be fascinated by the world of RAKU YAKI Bowls and the artisans Kyoshitsu Sasaki and Shouraku Sasaki.

Avantgarde RAKU YAKI bowls (Limited: from Feb 2020 to Jan 2021)

[KIRAI] KURO CHAWAN - KAGAYAKI (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): $2,980.00 (Now Available)
The name KAGAYAKI of this Matcha bowl means brilliance in Japanese. He chose the name KAGAYAKI, imagining that this Matcha bowl descends from heaven and shines in a dark tearoom. It will bring powerful light and warmth to the surroundings. Its presence will increase by integrating with other cultures...
[KIRAI]SHIROYU CHAWAN - KYOHSOH (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): $2,780.00 (Now Available)
The name KYOHSOH of this Matcha bowl means harmony in Japanese. He chose the name KYOHSOH, while imagining that this Matcha bowl descends from heaven into a dark tearoom, bringing harmony to the world, and bridging cultures. It is named with such thoughts...

Traditional RAKU YAKI Bowls (New)

[Shouraku] SAMIDARE (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): $643.00 (Now Available)
SAMIDARE means early summer rain in Japanese. It is said that the name derives from the surface tint which looks like calm rain in early summer season. This work is calm but gives a profound and strong feeling...
[Shouraku] MUKIGURI (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): $643.00 (Now Available)
MUKIGURI Matcha bowl has a very unique shape, and was unprecedented at the time it was first created by Chohjiroh Raku. Such a creative work is not seen even among the works of Chohjiroh Raku who had left many works in the world...
[Shouraku] SHICHIRI (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): $488.00 (Now Available)
The sides of this piece are deliberately and boldly whittled away. It evokes a very powerful impression, as though we are gazing upon a great rocky cliff. The foot of this bowl is intentionally finished low and the scene from the bottom to the middle of the side is sublime and tension-filled...
[Shouraku] OTOKOZE (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): $432.00 (Now Available)
The form of this bowl faithfully reproduces the original work of Kohetsu Honami. Kohetsu is famous for producing novel and avant-garde works. The round shape like this OTOKOZE bowl is a textbook example. Its form and size surprisingly fit into both hands when drinking Matcha, in contrast with the unique and novel appearance...

What is Raku-yaki?

Raku-yaki is one of the most famous types of earthenware in Japan. ICHI-RAKU, NI-HAGI, SAN-KARATSU has been said since many years ago, which means that Raku-yaki is first, Hagi-yaki is second, and Karatsu-yaki is third of all earthenware in Japan. In short, Raku-yaki is regarded as the most prestigious and highest ranked earthenware in the tea ceremony.

Raku-yaki has a long history and is thought to have been first made about 450 years ago by Chohjiroh, who is the founder of the Raku family. It is said that Sen no Rikyuh, who is the famous tea master in the 16th century and inventor of Wabi-cha, which became the origin of the modern tea ceremony, had Chohjiroh make Raku-yaki to create the most suitable Matcha bowl for the Wabi-cha tea ceremony.

Raku-yaki is a soft-type glazed ceramic ware and it is divided largely into two types: Kuro-raku is black Raku-yaki, and Aka-raku is red Raku-yaki. Kuro-raku is the earthenware which is changed to a black color in a kiln heated at over 1000C (1832F) since the color of the iron glaze changes by reduction firing. Aka-raku is the earthenware which is changed to a red color in a kiln heated at approximately 800C (1472F) since Aka-raku is made from the clay containing ocher which is changed to red color by reduction firing.

Raku-yaki is lighter in weight than it looks due to low density. Thermal conductivity is not so high and the hand feel and texture is very comfortable and soft. Its form and size also fit perfectly into both hands when drinking Matcha. For these reasons, Raku-yaki is very suitable for drinking Matcha and tea ceremony use.

Raku-yaki is also characterized by its forming method. Raku-yaki is formed only by hand and spatula with the clay on a pallet, while most earthenware is made using an electric potter's wheel or kicking potter's wheel. There is a limit to the depth that can be produced by hand (the hollow of the hand). You will be attracted to the originality and uniqueness of works produced in this limited cubic volume.


Kuro-raku black Raku-yaki

Aka-raku red Raku-yaki

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