Black Raku Tea Bowl, called KIKKA TEKIREKI

The source of the name “KIKKA TEKIREKI” refers to the phase from a classical Chinese poem. The piece is made by using a hand-forming technique, which is the traditional style of Raku ware. From the trimmed foot to the notched lip, a shiny black glaze is painted contrasting with the underlying tone of a transparent, an ash glaze. It looks as if mandarin orange flowers bloom outside the gate, like the glaze scenery of Edo Rinpa (One of the traditional Japanese schools succeed from the middle age). Inside the large, trimmed foot of the piece, the ‘RAKU’ mark of Kichizaemon XV is impressed. The work is one of the “Ha no SHU” series.