Japan Unknown
Unknown: Raku Ware Tea Bowl

earthenware
3 x 4.5 x 4.5 in.
2015.113
Gift of Stephen and Sophie Mathonnet-VanderWell

Raku pottery is handmade and carved with tools. Hand building tea bowls allows more undulation to be left in the object. This bowl is similar in form to Tengu, a famous tea bowl by Raku potter Jokei. Raku is fired to a low fire temperature and then taken out while glowing hot. This process, rooted in a long tradition, produces the unique black glaze seen on this tea bowl.  Raku ceramics are desirable for the Japanese tea ceremony. The low fire technique of Raku renders pieces less vitrified than high fired objects. However, this is desirable for use in tea because it acts as a better insulator. In addition to this, the methodical hand built nature of Raku tea bowls makes them more attuned to the specific usages of tea practitioners.

Text Panel from the exhibition Chanoyu: Ceramic Art in Japanese Tea Ceremony
March 16 – April 7, 2019
Groot Gallery
Co-curated by students and faculty from Carleton College and St. Olaf College