Kiyomizu Ware - Shoraku (正楽) - Chawan - Πηλός - Akaraku Matcha Chawan

Name: Japanese Kiyomizu Ware Akaraku Matcha Chawan (抹茶盌 / Tea Bowl) with Tomobako
Ware Type: Kiyomizu Ware (清水焼)
Artist: Shoraku (正楽)
Dimensions: H approx. 8 cm (3.15 in) × Rim Dia approx. 11.7 cm (4.61 in)
Weight: 356 g
Tomobako Dimensions: H 10.4 cm (4.09 in) × W 14.7 cm (5.79 in) × D 14.7 cm (5.79 in)
Material: Earthenware clay
Period: Showa Era, circa 1970–1980

This vessel embodying profound wabi-sabi tea ceremony aesthetics is an Akaraku-style Matcha Chawan (抹茶盌), crafted by Shoraku, an artist of Kiyomizu Ware from Kyoto, Japan.

Produced in Kyoto’s Heian district with centuries of ceramic tradition, Kiyomizu Ware is one of Kyoto’s most representative ceramic styles. Akaraku belongs to Kiyomizu’s classic Raku tea ware lineage, distinguished by warm amber-red base glaze, fluid blurred black kiln streaks and fine natural craquelure covering the glaze surface. Plain and rustic, it is the iconic ceramic representation of Japanese wabi-sabi tea philosophy.

Shaped in the traditional silhouette of a tea ceremony Matcha Chawan, this piece is hand pinched. It features an irregular organic rim and gentle undulating textures across the body. The entire bowl is coated in amber-red base glaze overlaid with softly diffused black kiln splashes, covered in delicate natural crackle that creates rich, soft layered kiln tones. The foot ring is left unglazed to reveal raw clay with distinct hand-thrown spiral traces, stamped with the artist’s exclusive seal “Shoraku (正楽)” on the base, showcasing genuine handcrafted texture.

Made as a professional tea ceremony utensil for whisking matcha, it is ideal for formal tea gatherings, daily tea drinking and interior display. Its understated wabi-sabi charm suits all interior styles.

The bowl comes complete with a paulownia wood tomobako storage box, yellow silk fukusa (袱布) wrapping cloth and bamboo chasen (茶筅，dedicated whisk for matcha preparation).

The box lid bears central brush calligraphy “Matcha Chawan (抹茶盌)”, vertical characters “Akaraku (赤楽)” on the right alongside a red seal engraved “Kiyomizu Ware (清水焼)”. On the left side is handwritten script “Heian Shoraku Zou (平安 正楽造)”, topped with a round red author seal “Shoraku (正楽)”. The author’s mark stamped on the bowl’s base perfectly matches the signatures and seals on the box; all accessories are intact and complete.

Due to inherent traits of traditional glaze firing and long-term storage, natural craquelure and minor age wear appear on the glaze surface. There are no cracks, chips, glaze loss or impact damage; overall condition is excellent for its age.

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