*FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES SHIPPING IS SET FOR EMS EXPRESS TO ALL AVAILABLE DESTINATIONS.

This listing is for a splendid kuro raku chawan made around 10-20 years ago by highly esteemed potter Shoraku Sasaki III.  It is hand-turned and the bowl is named ‘Kankyo’, which means tranquil home.  The meaning of this phrase is to escape the world and live a tranquil life, perhaps something that people have sought since ancient times.  It is also interpreted as being taken to a tranquil place when drinking a bowl of tea.  The bowl was named and appraised by Takahashi Etsudo, former head priest of Ryogen-in Temple at Daitokuji, his inscription can be found on the underside of the lid. Daitokuji Temple became closely linked to tea master Sen no Rikyu, thus establishing a link between Daitokuji and the Japanese tea ceremony. Rikyu’s tombstone can be found at the sub-temple Jukoin at Daitokuji, as well as a splendid tea room that he designed. It is this reason that tea ware masters take their wares to the temple to be appraised. This also increases the value rather substantially, and makes such wares ideal collector’s items. The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box. It also comes with an outer paper box to protect the tomobako as well as a Japanese language profile paper about Daitokuji temple. *PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHASHAKU TEA SCOOP IS NOT INCLUDED.

Sasaki Shoraku (b.1944) is a third generation Raku-ware potter working out of Shoraku Gama in Kyoto. He began studying under his father Shoraku II in 1962, and has spent much of his career producing high quality tea ware. Shoraku Gama specializes in aka raku and kuro raku pieces, and a lot of effort has gone into preserving traditional methods and techniques. Also Shoraku chawan usually have the wonderful ‘gozan’ peaks on the rim. These peaks represent the five main Zen temples in Kyoto, and are considerable an important and traditional aesthetic associated with high quality Raku-ware. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

Raku ware refers to low-fired ceramic ware first made in Kyoto by the Raku Family, its origins going as far back as the 16th century. It is traditionally characterised by being hand shaped rather than thrown. Raku is typically delicate, lightweight, and earthy to the touch. Aka (red) raku bowls are fired at 800 degrees, whilst the kuro (black) bowls can be fired up to 1200 degrees. The glaze for black bowls is made from crushed black stones retrieved from the Kamogawa River in Kyoto. Red bowls are coloured by adding translucent glaze over a pinkish clay body. When using raku bowls you should always wipe well with a warm cloth before use. It is possible to cause small cracks if you suddenly add boiling water.

Sizes

Outer Paper Box:  H.13.8cm (5.4”) x 16.5cm (6.4”) x 16.5cm (6.4”)

Box:  H.12.4cm (4.8”) x 15cm (5.9”) x 15cm (5.9”)

Chawan:  H.7.7cm (3”) x Dia.11.6cm (4.5”)

Condition

It’s in excellent condition with no chips or cracks, this piece is very clean.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION          

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway:  EMS Express 7-10 days.

**Asia:  EMS Express 3-5 days.

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.