Matcha Bowl - Takahashi Rakusai Kiln
Matcha Bowl in Shigaraki-yaki style, made by the Takahashi Rakusai kiln, now under leadership of the fifth generation Takahashi Rakusai V (b.1954), to be succeeded by his daughter Yoshiko Takahashi.
The bowl features a painting of a mouse, which is associated with the Year of the Rat in the Chinese Zodiac, which included 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020. It also includes a pamphlet explaining the zodiac calendar.
- Top diameter: 11cm
- Height: 8.5cm
- Weight: 284g
- Packaging: Original wooden box, wrapped in a cotton fukusa (袱紗)
- Condition: Unused, retrieved from long-term storage
Shigaraki-yaki features
Shigaraki-yaki (信楽焼), one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan, is known for its rustic beauty, natural ash glazing, and wood-fired character. While it shares overarching features such as coarse clay and natural firing effects, Shigaraki-yaki encompasses a variety of styles and expressions, shaped by the kiln, purpose, artist, and era. Shigaraki clay is high in feldspar, with visible white stones (ishihaze), adding texture and personality. Reduction or oxidation firing dramatically affects colour and glaze, and traditional Shigaraki ware is often coil-built or wheel-thrown. Every use items are made to be practical and beautiful, focusing on utility and simplicity.
Profile of the Takahashi Rakusai Kiln
The Takahashi family is one of the oldest and most respected potter families in Shigaraki, with a lineage tracing back to the 1830s. They have been instrumental in preserving and reviving traditional Shigaraki pottery techniques. The kiln is located in Shigaraki Town, Kōka City, Shiga Prefecture, and utilises various kilns, including noborigama (climbing kilns), to produce tea utensils, vases, and tableware. Through the generations the family has produced many famous pieces, with some on display in museums like the Tokyo Museum of Art. The kiln is currently under the leadership of Takahashi Rakusai V (b.1954), to be succeeded by his daughter Takahashi Yoshiko (b.1988). The kiln also fires ceramics by in-house artisans.