This is a traditional Kuro Raku Chawan titled "Teppeki (鉄壁)" (Iron Wall), created by the esteemed Japanese ceramic artist Heian Shōetsu, based in Kyoto. The piece showcases the essence of wabi-sabi through its restrained form, textured surface, and subdued yet striking black glaze. Raku ware, especially black Raku, holds an important place in the tea ceremony tradition for its warmth, tactility, and the quiet depth it brings to the tea experience. The bowl is carefully hand-molded, with a slightly irregular rim that enhances its organic character. The thick, jet-black glaze—applied using traditional Raku techniques—creates a reflective surface with subtle kiln variations and crackles. The foot is boldly carved and features the artist’s impressed seal. The piece is titled "Teppeki", which translates to "Iron Wall", perhaps suggesting its unyielding presence or dignified stillness. Accompanied by its original signed wooden box (tomobako), yellow protective cloth (shifuku), and official description card in Japanese, this tea bowl is not only functional but also collectible. It is ideal for practitioners of the tea ceremony or collectors of Japanese ceramics seeking authenticity, tradition, and depth in a single work. About Kuro Raku Chawan (黒楽茶碗) Kuro Raku Chawan (Black Raku Tea Bowl) is a type of hand-shaped ceramic bowl used in the Japanese tea ceremony, particularly in the wabi-cha tradition established by Sen no Rikyū in the 16th century. Raku ware is typically fired at a low temperature and removed from the kiln while still hot, creating a distinctive surface texture and glaze appearance. Black Raku is especially prized for its profound simplicity, warm tactility, and the subtle interplay of glaze and form that emerges from the unpredictable nature of Raku firing. Unlike mass-produced ceramics, each bowl is unique, often slightly irregular, and intentionally imperfect—qualities that embody the Japanese aesthetic ideals of wabi-sabi. Traditionally, black Raku bowls are used in the colder months of the year and are known to emphasize the color of the powdered green tea (matcha), creating a strong visual and sensory contrast during the tea ritual. Kuro Raku Chawan is not only a utilitarian vessel but also an expression of philosophical and artistic depth. Shipping / Policy Carefully packaged and shipped from Japan by Japan Post or DHL with tracking. If you purchase multiple items, combined shipping is available. Please contact us if needed. Import duties, VAT (or equivalent consumption tax), and any other fees are the responsibility of the buyer. Guarantee Our shop is a licensed antiques dealer in Japan. We guarantee the authenticity of this work.