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Raku (raku-yaki) is a low-fired ceramic ware
first produced by Sasaki Chojirō (d. 1592) in the 16th century in Kyoto. Under the encouragement and patronage of his close friend, tea master Sen no Rikyū,
he crafted a style of bowl which was devoid of any decoration or sense
of movement. They were made to embody Rikyū's wabi-cha
philosophy - that is, tea ceremony in which great emphasis is
placed on simplicity and quiet appreciation.
This austere piece by shino artist Suzuki Tomio pays homage to the
Raku tradition and the unique aesthetic which evolved around it.
It is done in the artist's signature kokuyosai (shimmering
black) glaze and formed entirely by hand, without the aid of a
potter's wheel, in a meticulous process which negates any sense of
mechanical precision. In the absence of color or decorative
elements, it communicates with the viewer on a more abstract and
subconscious level. A sense of monolithic strength is
immediately perceptible in its squared body, yet restrained by the
soft curvature of the rim. Grace and balance are conveyed at the
base where the weight of the piece rests squarely upon the footring.
When filled with the verdant color of whipped
matcha, the contrasting colors strike a harmonious balance,
transforming the bowl into a contemplative piece reminiscent of a Zen
garden.
A wooden presentation box will be custom made to order and signed by
the artist. Delivery time for this item is 2 weeks.
A display cloth (fukusa) is included.
Suzuki Tomio's shino pottery is held in private collections around the
world and, in 2011, was acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art for
display in their East Asian Art collection.
See Suzuki Tomio's
Kyoto exhibition for more from his 2011 collection.
special care instructions |
