Chawan, Tea Bowl

Chanoyu is the ceremonial consumption of tea in Japanese culture. The practice involves numerous kinds of rituals, philosophies, and utensils. One utensil is the chawan, a tea bowl. The bowl is a vessel for guests to drink tea from, and the design of it correlates to a season, which helps the host decide when to use it. The design of chawan has transformed over the centuries, with tea master Sen no Rikyū’s Raku style being the predominant version today. Raku style is notable for its hand-molded designs, which embody the concept of wabi or the beauty of imperfection. The chawan here is made in this style, identifiable by the uneven rim. The artist’s signature at the base reads “Waraku,” linking it to a school named Raku Studio Waraku. Its reddish hue and floral designs that adorn its sides suggest it was intended to be used during the spring or summer.

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