Attributed to Raku 10th Tanyu, Edo Period Japanese Aka-Raku Chawan #5353

height: approx. 7.5cm (2 61⁄64in)
width (diameter): approx. 12.4cm (4 7⁄8in)
weight: 261g (w/ box 533g)

This work is a valuable red Raku tea bowl from the Edo period (17th to 19th century), believed to have been handed down from Raku Tanyu, the 10th generation master of the Raku family. It is adorned with a warm vermilion glaze characteristic of Aka-Raku ware, and its simple yet robust form, along with the natural marks from the potter’s wheel, strongly reflect the aesthetic of functional beauty and spiritual depth central to the Japanese tea ceremony. The foot is thick and sturdy, and the base bears a clearly impressed seal, indicating the presence of the artist and the authenticity of the piece. Natural glaze flows over the interior and body, forming landscapes created by the nuances of the kiln fire—an embodiment of the beauty of chance. Fine crazing and subtle firing irregularities that developed over time add richness to the expression of the piece and evoke the dignified atmosphere that only age can bestow.