Karaku Kiln (駕洛窯), located in Muan, South Korea, is headed by fourth generation potter Shimizu Hisashi (清水久嗣) who took over in 2006 and also operates his family's main kiln, Rakuzan Kiln (楽山窯) in Mie Prefecture (Banko-yaki). Shimizu-san was born in Yokkaichi, Mie, studied art and design in the US, before retuning to Japan to study pottery under his father, and then travelled to Korea to further his studies. He is a member of the Enshū-ryū school of Japanese tea ceremony, which values the kirei-sabi (elegant rusticity - 綺麗さび) aesthetics of Korean teaware.
Shimizu-san's great-grandfather was the first Banko potter to incorporate Korean styles into their work, and his father furthered this practice by travelling to Korea to study pottery, research Joseon-era ceramic materials and techniques, and eventually setup some kilns. Today, Shimizu-san produces Korean-style chawan in Japan at Rakuzan Kiln and also produces Korean chawan in Korea at Karaku Kiln.
