Orange Candy Glazed Raku Summer Chawan
VintageThis spectacular Raku-yaki summer chawan (matcha bowl) features a classic, amber/orange coloured 'candy glaze' in the Ohi-yaki style of raku chawan. Candy glaze, or 'ame-yu' (飴釉) in Japanese, is a high-iron glaze known for its delightful variations and unevenness in colour and texture, getting its name from its overall caramel colour.
Made in Japan. Ships from the United States
Width: 14 cm (5.5 in)
Height: 5 cm (2 in)
Capacity: 150 ml
Condition: Vintage (minor scuff on the base, please see photos)
Because of their porosity, raku chawan are very 'soft' and delicate. Before its first use, we highly recommend soaking the entire piece in warm water for 30 minutes, allowing water to enter and tighten the gaps in the clay, before air drying it completely. For additional strengthening, rice water (the cloudy water left when washing rice) can be used, with the tiny rice particles helping fill the gaps in the clay. Be sure not to let the bowl soak for too long as the clay might begin to soften.
For each subsequent use, soaking for a few minutes is all that is needed. At first the bowl will produce a clay odour, but this will disappear with time and repeated use.
Concerning Lead in Raku Glazes:
Most traditional formulations of raku glazes employ lead as a flux, allowing the glaze to melt and flow at a lower temperature. The Japanese Ministry of Health advises that raku chawan are safe to use strictly in their traditional setting: preparing and drinking matcha. As matcha is alkaline and doesn't sit in the bowl for very long, it won't leach any lead from the glaze. Contact, especially prolong contact with acidic foods should be avoided as these can leach lead.