I present to you a vintage tea ceremony set—a red Raku bowl with a floral and herbal motif bearing the master's seal, complete with a simple paper box. This bowl is a work of Japanese art, a Japanese antique, and a beautiful piece of teaware suitable for sencha tea, kaiseki, and other kaiseki dishes.
Diameter: 11,5 cm, Height: 8 cm, Weight: 275 g. 
Recommended not only for tea ceremony, but also as interior decoration or gift.
There are no cracks or chips, and the bowl is in excellent condition.
We hope you enjoy the patina of time and the delicate beauty of this Akaraku tea bowl.
The bowl features the soft clay characteristic of Akaraku and a warm scarlet glaze, gracefully framing a serene landscape with a floral and herbal motif. This piece is characterized by the characteristic ease of handling and the delicacy characteristic of Raku ware.
 
Yoshimura Soraku is a Kyo-yaki (Kyoto pottery) artist known primarily for his traditional Raku ware tea bowls. The name "Soraku" is a potter's name that has been passed down through generations within the Yoshimura family, who have been making pottery in Kyoto since the Meiji era (1868-1912). Work and StyleThe Yoshimura family kilns specialize in Raku ware, a type of Japanese pottery highly valued in the tea ceremony (chanoyu). Traditional Raku Ware: Their work includes classic black and red Raku tea bowls, a style that has been prominent in the tea ceremony since the time of Sen no Rikyu, the historical figure who refined the ceremony.
 
Raku ceramics is a unique style of Japanese pottery that originated in Kyoto during the Momoyama period under the leadership of Sen no Rikyu and boasts over 400 years of history and tradition. It is distinguished by its naturally uneven shapes, created using a method called "rolling molding" and a rare firing method called "pull-fired." Generations of artisans have continued to produce raku ceramics since then, and this style continues to thrive to this day.Since ancient times, tea ceremony masters have said that the three most important tea bowls are Raku, Hagi, and Karatsu, and the reason for their greatest popularity is likely due to their rich flavor, pleasant feel in the hand and mouth, and ease of use.
 
How to care for such a bowl:
Clay has porosity, and it varies among different types, so here are some general tips for caring for ceramics. To ensure the bowl "opens up":
Avoid using detergents: The clay will absorb the chemical smell, ruining the tea's flavor.
Only one type of tea: Experts recommend using one bowl for one type of tea (for example, only pu-erh or only oolong) so that over time the lining will absorb the aroma of that particular tea.
Your bowl is not just a piece of teaware, but an object of authenticity that, with proper use, will only improve over the years.