Manjudo Kyoto - Chawan (2) - Earthenware - Red-Glazed, Hand-Shaped

Aka-Raku Red Tea Bowl Set – Two Chawan with Original Tomobako

A pair of genuine Aka-Raku (red Raku ware) tea bowls, each housed in its own signed wooden storage box (tomobako) — a beautiful embodiment of the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, where beauty is found in imperfection, simplicity, and the passage of time.

Raku ware originated in Kyoto in the late 16th century, closely tied to the tea master Sen no Rikyū and the philosophy of chanoyu — the idea that an entire universe can be held within a single tea bowl. Unlike wheel-thrown pottery, Raku bowls are hand-shaped and carved with a spatula, then fired at low temperatures, resulting in soft, organic forms. Aka-Raku, the red variant, derives its warm reddish tones from iron-rich clay slips, and no two pieces are ever alike — each bowl carries its own unrepeatable "landscape" of colour and texture, a quality treasured by tea practitioners and collectors for over four centuries.

Bowl 1 – with Matching Saucer

Crafted by the Manjudo kiln in Kyoto, this bowl displays a warm, reddish-pink glaze with striking smoky dark flashing and fine natural crackling (kannyu) across the surface. Comes with its matching saucer and original signed tomobako.

Style: Aka-Raku (red Raku ware)
Maker/Kiln: Manjudo (萬珠堂), Kyoto
Dimensions: Height approx. 9 cm, Diameter approx. 11 cm
Weight (incl. box): approx. 900 g
Includes: Bowl, saucer, and original tomobako
Bowl 2 – Additional Bowl

A second bowl in a vivid orange-red glaze, bearing a "楽" (Raku) stamp on the foot. The wooden box carries a signature and seal.

Dimensions: Height approx. 8 cm, Diameter approx. 11.5 cm
Weight (incl. box): approx. 600 g
Includes: Bowl and original tomobako
Condition

Both bowls are in excellent, well-preserved condition, showing natural crackle glaze and characterful kiln effects with no significant chips, cracks, or repairs.

Together, these two Aka-Raku bowls offer two distinct expressions of a centuries-old tradition — a wonderful addition to any collection of Japanese tea ceremony wares or fine ceramics.

Shipping: Carefully packed and shipped via DHL or EMS with tracking and insurance.

Customs & VAT: Please note that Value Added Tax (VAT), import duties, and customs fees are the buyer's responsibility and may be collected by your local customs office upon delivery.

Please note that as of 1 July 2026, the EU has abolished the de minimis customs exemption.
All shipments to EU countries are now subject to import duties and VAT regardless of the declared value of the goods.
For shipments with a declared value under €150, an additional customs processing fee of €3 may also apply.