19C Japanese Raku Ware Tea Bowl with Seal of Raku 9th Ryonyu #5360

width: approx. 11.3cm (4 7⁄16in)
height: approx. 7.6cm (2 63⁄64in)
weight: 310g

This tea bowl is a fine example of Japanese Raku ware from the late Edo period (19th century), bearing the retirement seal of Ryonyu, the ninth-generation head of the Raku family. The bowl is distinguished by a striking composition of black glaze, dramatically interrupted by a sweep of ochre glaze resembling a mountain landscape—an embodiment of the Zen-inspired aesthetics central to the tea ceremony. Its tactile weight, intentionally uneven form, and comfortable grip evoke the wabi aesthetic unique to Raku ware, celebrating imperfection and quiet elegance. The interior is filled with a deep, lustrous black glaze that contrasts beautifully with the exterior, drawing the eye inward. On the foot, Ryonyu’s mark is boldly impressed, attesting to its authenticity and esteemed provenance. In excellent condition, this bowl is both a functional tea vessel and a compelling piece of ceramic art, exuding quiet authority and historical depth.