AKA CHAWAN - ISO no SHIRABE (handcrafted Matcha Bowl)

(Please note: This is one of a kind and there are never two alike, so that once sold, this will be out of stock. It takes approximately 3 weeks from the time you order this item until the date it is shipped from Japan. In extremely rare cases, it may take up to 4 weeks. If you order this item with other items, they will be shipped together.)

One-of-a-kind piece
diameter: 4.13inch (10.5cm) height: 3.14inch (8cm), standard Matcha bowl size
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai kiln
Op.2310

This AKA CHAWAN is quite unique work, which is made with an avant-garde spirit while strictly adhering to traditional Raku-yaki techniques. ISO no SHIRABE means the quiet lapping of the waves on the rocky shore. The translucent white glaze, specially formulated, envelops the Matcha bowl like a wave that comes and goes. The unique tension and relaxation that exists between stillness and movement is beautifully combined into one masterpiece with original techniques and ideas. You will be fascinated by the world of Raku-yaki and the artisan Kyoshitsu Sasaki.

This Matcha bowl is made by Kyoshitsu Sasaki at Kirai kiln. Kyoshitsu Sasaki is the fourth head of Shouraku kiln. Shouraku kiln, which opened in 1903, is one of the most traditional Raku-yaki kilns in Kyoto. Raku-yaki is the highest grade Matcha bowl used for the tea ceremony in Japan. (For details of Raku-yaki: RAKU YAKI - Avantgarde to Tradition page)

The name of "Kyoshitsu" and "Kirai" are from Daitokuji temple, which was erected in 1325. The temple has had a great influence on Japanese culture and CHANOYU traditional tea ceremony, since the spirit of CHANOYU is based in Zen philosophy. It is also said that Juko Murata or Sen no Rikyu, who is the famous tea master and pioneer of the tea ceremony, maintained close relations with Daitokuji temple.

A special clay is used, made by kneading yellow ocher into the white clay. The iron content in ochre makes the red coloration. In a typical AKARAKU Matcha bowl, ochre is not kneaded into the bowl, but is used as a coating on the surface. The technique of kneading ochre into the clay was used by Raku Chojiro 1st (birth date unknown – 1589) to achieve the style sought by Sen no Rikyu (1522 – 1591), founder of the tea ceremony. This technique produces an uneven speckled pattern in the Matcha bowl, which makes it difficult to achieve a consistent appearance, but it also gives the bowl a more attractive appearance. It is a very difficult method that is rarely used today.

The traditional TEZUKUNE technique of forming only by hand, without using a potter's wheel, creates a unique tension at the waist and mouth of the Matcha bowl. The sides are shaved with a spatula. This type of shaving was a technique that Raku Ryonyu 9th (1756 - 1834) and Raku Keinyu 11th (1817 - 1902) excelled at. They excelled in the use of this spatula among successive generations of the Raku family, pursuing an impressive expression of movement. This pattern, produced in one fluid stroke, is a “one-shot game” and cannot be reworked. The unique shape clearly indicates the characteristics of genuine Raku-yaki.

The translucent white glaze becomes thicker as it drips, and the gradation of transparency seems to represent the serenity of the waves. This special textured glaze was originally blended by Kyoshitsu Sasaki. Under such glaze, one can see gradations of different shades of pale red, yellow, and black. The black color patterns made by burning charcoal in the kiln appear not only on the front side, as with many ceramic bowls, but on all sides. These special black color patterns as mentioned above are found only on AKA RAKU and are called "Fu". In addition, all "Fu" featured on this bowl are of varying shades, which requires a special technique. It is difficult to completely control these color gradations, but Kyoshitsu Sasaki has done it with remarkable skill and an expert hand.

This Matcha bowl undergoes three firing processes before completion. During the first firing, the Matcha bowl is unglazed. It is then fired a second time with BINCHOTAN charcoal. At this stage, gradations of red, yellow, and black are created. Finally, the Matcha bowl is coated with a translucent white glaze and then fired a third time.

This Matcha bowl is an avant-garde reinterpretation of a traditional style, including molding, firing, and design. This is a new masterpiece created by Kyoshitsu Sasaki that is unprecedented in the more than 400-year history of Raku-yaki.

The texture of the clay, the red and Fu colors, and the patterns created by the spatula create a sense of tension like a rock on the shore. Then, Kyoshitsu Sasaki's original white glaze flows like gentle waves, providing a moderately relaxing feeling. This contrast and harmony make this Matcha bowl a superb masterpiece.

Raku-yaki has a water-absorbing property. If used regularly over a long period of time, the aesthetic of the surface gradually changes. It is also a feature of using Raku-yaki that the atmosphere becomes more WABI SABI.

The visual tension created by the red speckles, Fu and spatula patterns is in perfect balance with the relaxing white glaze that resembles gentle waves. To drink Matcha with this masterpiece means to taste its contrast and harmony at the same time.(More info: Sen no Rikyu & the ZEN spirit)

Specially packaged in a wooden box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan.