12th Raku Konyu Aka-Raku Chawan - Shichi-Go-San Red Tea Bowl with Box

A magnificent aka-raku (red Raku) tea bowl by the 12th generation Raku Konyu (1857-1932), one of Japan's most important pottery dynasties. This collector's Raku tea bowl features a Shichi-Go-San (Seven-Five-Three) festival motif with celebratory cloud and tassel design incised in white slip. A museum quality Japanese ceramic with deep crimson glaze and dramatic black keshiki. Ships with tracking from Japan.

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[ PRODUCT DETAILS ]
• Artist: 12th Raku Konyu (楽弘入, 1857-1932)
• Origin: Kyoto, Japan (Raku family workshop)
• Type: Tea Bowl (Chawan / 茶碗) – Aka-raku (Red Raku)
• Motif: Shichi-Go-San (七五三) – celebratory cloud and tassel design
• Dimensions: Approx. 12 cm diameter × 8 cm height (4.7” × 3.1”) – Standard chawan size
• Materials: Hand-formed Raku clay with red glaze
• Packaging: Wooden storage box
• Condition: Good antique condition – consistent with age (Meiji-Taisho era). Minor wear expected for a piece over 100 years old.
• Style: Raku Pottery / Traditional Japanese

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[ ABOUT THIS PIECE ]
The Raku family has been the single most important pottery dynasty in Japanese tea culture for over 450 years, beginning with Chojiro in the 16th century under the direct guidance of Sen no Rikyu. The 12th generation master, Konyu (born Kichizaemon), continued this unbroken lineage during the Meiji and Taisho eras, a period of rapid modernization when traditional arts faced existential challenges.

This aka-raku chawan displays the characteristic hand-formed irregularity prized in Raku ware – no wheel is used, and each bowl is shaped entirely by hand. The deep crimson-red glaze on one side transitions dramatically into a blackened area of keshiki (landscape), creating the kind of dynamic contrast that Raku masters deliberately cultivate. The incised Shichi-Go-San motif – celebrating the traditional children's festival of ages 7, 5, and 3 – features cloud scrolls and ceremonial tassels in white slip against the red ground.

[ WHY CHOOSE THIS TEA BOWL? ]
Authentic Raku family pieces are among the most sought-after objects in Japanese ceramic collecting. A tea bowl by the 12th generation, bearing the distinctive Raku seal, represents a direct connection to a living tradition that spans nearly half a millennium. The Shichi-Go-San theme adds celebratory warmth and makes this a deeply meaningful piece.

[ CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ]
Raku ware embodies the essence of wabi-cha – the austere tea aesthetic championed by Sen no Rikyu. Each piece is fired individually in a small kiln and pulled out while still glowing, a dramatic process that produces unpredictable results. This embrace of imperfection and immediacy is at the philosophical core of Japanese tea ceremony. The Raku family seal (楽) on the foot ring authenticates this as a genuine family workshop piece.

[ PROVENANCE & AUTHENTICITY ]
Bears the Raku family seal (楽) on the foot ring. Housed in a wooden storage box. The Shichi-Go-San motif and red glaze characteristics are consistent with documented works of the 12th generation Konyu.

[ SUGGESTED USES ]
Display as a museum-quality art object or use for formal tea ceremony. Perfect gift for serious collectors of Japanese ceramics, Raku pottery enthusiasts, or as a milestone gift celebrating a child's growth (Shichi-Go-San theme).

[ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ]
Q: Is this an authentic Raku family piece?
A: Yes, it bears the Raku family seal and displays characteristics consistent with the 12th generation Konyu's work.

Q: Can I use this for drinking tea?
A: Yes, Raku chawan are designed for tea ceremony use. However, given its age and collectible value, many owners choose to display it.

Q: How should I care for this piece?
A: Rinse gently with lukewarm water after use. Never use a dishwasher. Dry thoroughly before storing. Handle the foot ring area with care.

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• Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days
• Carrier: Japan Post EMS / UPS (with tracking)
• Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials