Japanese Late Edo to Meiji Period Black Raku Chawan, attributed to Raku 12th Konyu #5372

width: 9.4cm (3 45⁄64in)
height: 10cm (3 15⁄16in)
weight: 314g (w/ box 549g)

This is a black Raku tea bowl (chawan) believed to have been produced in Japan during the late Edo to Meiji period. Hand-molded and thickly glazed, it displays the distinctive qualities of Raku ware. The entire surface is covered in a black glaze, with accents of reddish and yellow glaze in places. The yellow glaze reflects light in a way that gives it a gold-like appearance, though no actual gold glaze is used. The slightly irregular cylindrical form reflects the wabi-sabi aesthetic valued in Japanese tea culture. A kiln mark is present on the underside, and according to tradition, the piece is attributed to the 12th-generation Raku master, Konyu. The tea bowl comes with a wooden box and a cloth, the latter inscribed with “僧室内食事用布吊,” indicating it may have been used in a temple setting for meals or tea. There are no visible chips or cracks, and the bowl is overall in good condition, showing natural aging consistent with its period.