KIKKÔ Jûsôken

(1948– )

Title

Black raku tea bowl

Alternative title:

Kuro rakujawan

Place of origin

Japan

Period

Heisei period 1989 - → Japan

Year

1997

Media category

Ceramic

Materials used

earthenware with black raku glaze

Dimensions

8.7 x 12.0cm

Signature & date

Signed in Japanese, [stamped on clay body] "Jûsôken". Signed on side of box (assoc. nwa) in Japanese, ink "Hachidai Kikkô Jûsôken [Kikkô Jûsôken VIII] [with artist's seal]".

Credit

Gift of Rev. Muneharu Kurozumi 1999

Accession number

160.1999

Location

Not on display

Further information

Despite his relatively young age, Kîkkô Jusôken has been recognised by the Omotesenke and Urasenke tea schools, the two largest tea schools in Japan, as their official teabowl maker.

The soft texture and colour of this work, characteristics of the 'black raku teabowl', are achieved through the combination of low temperature firing and sudden cooling of the work in water while it is red hot: a technique originated in the late 16th century by Chôjirô who made teabowls for the famous tea master Senno Rikyû. The asymmetric shape of this bowl reflects a later aesthetic (Chôjirô bowls are basically unassuming straight shapes), but it still retains the simplicity and quietude of the original style. Raku teabowls are an important part of the traditional tea utensils.

Asian Art Dept, AGNSW, August 1999.

Bibliography (1)

Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 'Tea', Domain, 2003, 227 (colour illus.).