Kuro RAKU Matcha Bowl by Shōraku Sasaki Pre-owned

Kuro Raku Tea Bowl by Shōraku Sasaki — Pre-owned
With Inscription by Etsudō Takahashi, Former Abbot of Daitoku-ji

This Black Raku tea bowl was crafted by Shōraku Sasaki, continuing the long-cherished Raku tradition of Japanese tea ceramics. Raku ware is especially valued in chanoyu for its hand-formed character and the intimate relationship it creates between the maker’s touch, the clay, and the fire.

The accompanying wooden box bears an inscription by Etsudō Takahashi, former abbot of Daitoku-ji, one of Kyoto’s most respected Zen temples. Such a hakogaki connects the piece to the spiritual and cultural lineage of the tea ceremony and Zen practice.

The bowl is titled “Sennen no Midori” (千年の翠), meaning “Everlasting Green.” This poetic name symbolizes enduring vitality and longevity, evoking the timeless green of evergreen trees. It reflects the Zen ideal of constancy, resilience, and quiet strength that persists through the passing of time.

Black Raku bowls are particularly admired for their deep, lustrous surfaces and the sense of calm they convey when held in the hands. Their softly irregular forms embody the wabi aesthetic, where beauty is found in natural simplicity, subtle imperfection, and contemplative depth.

This piece is offered in very good pre-owned condition and has been carefully preserved. It is suitable both for use in tea gatherings and for collectors who appreciate Zen-inscribed Raku ware that embodies tranquility, endurance, and the contemplative spirit of chanoyu.