Warmth and refinement converge in this Ōwatari-style tea caddy, its lustrous red glaze glowing with the quiet intensity prized in the tea ceremony. Description: This hand-built tea caddy (chaire) presents the distinctive "Ōwatari" form—a bucket-shaped vessel with a prominent overhead bail handle and a fitted dome lid. The body is rounded with a gentle belly, rising to a wide mouth with a pronounced rim. Small loop handles project from either side of the shoulder, and the substantial arched handle spans the vessel's width, providing both functional grip and sculptural presence. The surface displays the rich red glaze (aka-raku) characteristic of Raku ware, ranging from deep oxblood crimson to warm reddish-brown. Black carbonized areas appear where the glaze has been reduced, creating dramatic contrast against the luminous red. The glaze shows the characteristic soft luster and fine crazing typical of Raku firing. The fitted lid mirrors the body's treatment, with its domed form rising to a central knob. The underside of the lid features gold leaf application, a refined touch for the tea ceremony context. The base reveals an unglazed triangular foot area, exposing the pale cream-colored clay beneath the glaze—a hallmark of Kyoto Raku ware. An impressed circular seal reading "楽印" (Rakuin) appears on the lower body. Cultural & Art Context: Raku ware (raku-yaki) originated in Kyoto during the sixteenth century under the patronage of tea master Sen no Rikyū. The technique involves hand-shaping (rather than wheel-throwing), low-temperature firing, and the use of lead glazes to achieve the soft, tactile surfaces favored in the tea ceremony. The Ōwatari style references Chinese and Korean vessel forms adapted for Japanese tea practice. Tea caddies hold powdered matcha and are among the most treasured utensils in the tea ceremony, valued for both their functional elegance and aesthetic presence. Collector Appeal: Works by Fukui Rakuin represent the Kyoto Raku tradition as practiced by a recipient of the Minister of International Trade and Industry Award. This tea caddy arrives with complete documentation: the artist's signed wooden storage box (tomobako), white storage cloth (tomofuku) stamped with the artist's seal, and the impressed seal on the vessel itself. Such comprehensive provenance supports authentication and enhances both display value and collectibility. Condition: Part of the gold decoration on the underside of the lid has peeled off. (Please see the product photos for details.) Artist Profile: Fukui Rakuin (1904–) was born in Hyogo Prefecture. He studied under Raku Toku and adopted the art name "Rakuin" in 1938 when he formally entered the ceramics profession. He first exhibited at the Bunten in 1942 and was subsequently active in Bunten and Nitten exhibitions. In 1959, he received the Minister of International Trade and Industry Award at the All-Japan Tea and Flower Vessel Exhibition, after which he dedicated himself to tea ware and glaze research. He served as a member of the Kyoto Craft Artists Association and as Chairman of the Kyoto Raku Kiln Research Association. 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.