This splendid chawan is part of a wonderful collection of tea bowls acquired over many years by a private Japanese collector.
Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) is without doubt the best known Japanese potter. His influence on the world of ceramics, not only in Japan but throughout the world makes him a true icon of contemporary pottery. During his lifetime, he received many awards, the most prestigious of them being the ti ...click for details
This sublime chawan (tea bowl) was made by a master craftsman of Raku ware: Ogawa Choraku (1874-1939), the founder of the Choraku lineage of raku potters. Choraku studied under Keinyu (11th Raku) and Konyu (12th Raku) of the Raku family, and in 1904, with the support of Konyu, founded his own kiln in Kyoto. He received the name Choraku in 1906, by Choyuken, the head of a very influential tea ceremony association; raku ware makers are usually very close to tea ceremony circles and Buddhist temple ...click for details
