Japanese Edo Period Black Raku Chawan, attributed to Raku 10th Tannyu #5370

width: approx. 11cm (4 21⁄64in)
height: approx. 7cm (2 3⁄4in)
weight: 303g (w/ box 536g)
condition: hair line crack (no water leaked)

This tea bowl is a black Raku ware chawan, traditionally attributed to Raku Tannyū, the 10th generation head of the Raku family, active during the Edo period in Japan. It features the distinctive characteristics of black Raku ware, including a thick, lustrous glaze and a hand-formed, irregular body that embraces naturalistic wabi aesthetics. The surface reveals a subtle interplay of textures, with a glossy black glaze that varies in tone depending on thickness and firing. The rim is slightly undulated, adding to the organic feel of the piece, while the base is unglazed and reveals a carved footring with the potter’s mark impressed into the clay. The bowl comes housed in a traditional wooden storage box (tomobako), consistent with Japanese tea ceremony practices. Overall, the piece remains in very good condition, with no significant chips or cracks, and retains a strong presence characteristic of historical Raku ware.