Rakuwa

Rakuwa (楽蛙) is a type of soft, hand-molded Japanese pottery, particularly tea bowls, traditionally associated with the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu). The name "Rakuwa" refers to both the style of pottery and the family who have produced it for centuries.

The Rakuwa family, founded by Chōjirō (長次郎) in the 16th century, was commissioned by Sen no Rikyū (千利休), the renowned tea master, to create tea bowls that reflected the ideals of wabi-sabi, emphasizing simplicity, naturalness, and imperfection.

Rakuwa ware is typically characterized by its low-fired earthenware body, often with a dark (black Rakuwa) or reddish (red Rakuwa) glaze. Black Rakuwa bowls are typically formed by applying a black glaze and firing at a high temperature in a reducing atmosphere, creating a rich, glossy black finish. Red Rakuwa bowls employ a red-brown glaze and are often fired at lower temperatures.

The process of making Rakuwa ware is highly personal. The potter shapes each bowl by hand, without the use of a potter's wheel. This results in bowls with unique irregularities and imperfections, contributing to their individual character. The glazes are often applied thickly and allowed to run, creating subtle variations in color and texture. After firing, the bowls are carefully inspected, and only those that meet the potter's standards are considered worthy of being used in the tea ceremony.

The Rakuwa family continues to produce Rakuwa ware today, preserving the traditions and techniques passed down through generations. Rakuwa tea bowls are highly prized by collectors and tea practitioners alike for their beauty, craftsmanship, and embodiment of the aesthetic principles of the tea ceremony. They are considered an essential part of the history and culture of Japanese pottery.