KURO CHAWAN - KAGAYAKI (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)

(Please note: Because this item is usually made-to-order, it may possibly take approximately 5 weeks from the time you order this item until the date it is shipped from Kyoto, Japan. Once ordered, any order change or cancellation cannot be accepted. If you order this item with other items, they will be shipped together.)

diameter: 4.13inch (10.5cm) height: 3.74inch (9.5cm), standard Matcha bowl size
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai kiln
(Please note that each piece is unique due to the techniques employed by the artisan. There are natural variations in each piece.)

This KURO CHAWAN is quite unique work, which is made with an avant-garde spirit while strictly adhering to traditional Raku-yaki techniques.
The boldly scraped sides and the asymmetric shape create the divinity and dynamism of this work. The discoloration, including reddish brown and blue-grey color with gold leaf audaciously and luxuriously pasted, also creates a mysterious atmosphere. It seems that divine light is inserted into the darkness of jet black. This work is the fusion of tradition and originality, and the product of combined chance with the calculated skill and effort of the artisan. You will be fascinated by the world of Raku-yaki and the artisan Kyoshitsu Sasaki.

This Matcha bowl is made by Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai kiln. Kyoshitsu Sasaki is the third head of Shouraku kiln. Shouraku kiln, which opened in 1903, is one of the most traditional Raku-yaki kilns in Kyoto. Raku-yaki is the highest grade Matcha bowl used for the tea ceremony in Japan. (For details of Raku-yaki: RAKU YAKI - Prestigious bowl page)

The name of "Kyoshitsu" and "Kirai" are from Daitokuji temple, which was erected in 1325. The temple has had a great influence on Japanese culture and Cha-no-yu traditional tea ceremony, since the spirit of Cha-no-yu is based in Zen philosophy. It is also said that Juko Murata or Rikyu Sen, who is the famous tea master and pioneer of the tea ceremony, maintained close relations with Daitokuji temple.

Kyoshitsu Sasaki made this bowl based on the image of cross-cultural interaction with the traditional Japanese culture of Raku-yaki. Innovative ideas, which are ordinarily incompatible with Raku-yaki, brilliantly fuse with Japanese traditional culture. He created this bowl with the spirit of creating a new culture.

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. It is named with such thoughts.

The discoloration, which looks like a ray of light, on the beautiful pitch-black surface of the Kuro-raku, is known as YOHEN, and is produced when the glaze changes in the highly heated kiln. It is quite difficult for even skilled craftsmen to control YOHEN and it is also said that the degree of coloring cannot be known until it is taken out from the kiln. It is no exaggeration to say that God only knows what beautiful and mysterious colors will be created.

The sides of this bowl are boldly scraped away and the rim is uneven due to its being formed by hand. The shape, which is formed asymmetrically, is also based on his originality and ingenuity, not restricted by traditional style. The appearance is just like a steep mountain or sheer cliff.

Raku-yaki is ordinarily formed asymmetrically and the rim is also not flat but uneven due to TEDUKUNE forming. The unique shape clearly indicates the characteristics of genuine Raku-yaki. It is thought that the characteristics are the foundation of the Cha-no-yu tea ceremony and reflect the Japanese aesthetic. This work also vividly reflects the aesthetic sense and sprit of WABI SABI.

Traditional black glaze is boldly used on the black surface. And to emphasize the creative image and innovative design of this work, the area of discoloration is intentionally provided in front of it, and gold leaf is audaciously and luxuriously applied.

The glaze containing cobalt oxide creates the blue-grey color, and the glaze containing copper is used in the dark brown or dark red areas. The degree of coloring cannot be controlled since it does not appear until taken out from the kiln. This is why this work is very unique and the one and only.

The track of the tongs used to remove the hot Raku from the kiln, called YATTOKO-ATO, remains on the inside and outside of the bowl. This is proof of genuine Raku-yaki produced by traditional Raku-yaki methods. And you can also see the small dots like pinholes on the surface of the glaze. The dots are from the bubbling of the glaze, which occurs when it is fired at a high temperature. These are also evidence that this piece was created by traditional methods.

Raku-yaki has a water-absorbing property. If used regularly over a long period of time, the aesthetic of the surface gradually changes. It is also a feature of using Raku-yaki that the atmosphere becomes more WABI SABI. Kyoshitsu believes that his works are not complete until Matcha is poured in during use. Please enjoy your green moment with this Matcha bowl, which is infused with Japanese tradition and modern ingenuity!

Specially packaged in a wooden box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan.