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Hi all,

just bought this nice black raku chawan....can anything be decyphered from the mark?

many thanks, Martyn.

Martyn

Please see posting on this website titled "small pottery bowl" posted by Joseph on Sept. 20, 2006. If the mark on your chawan matches the one on this posting, the mark says raku. There may be some other information on this posting of interest to you as well.

Joseph

Hi Joseph,

Thanks for that....although the mark on your bowl has some similar looking elements I dont think it is the same. Raku potters appear to commonly use relatively large circular seal marks like these, but to the best of my knowledge the marks represent different kilns or potters....I know it's a long shot that this mark might be identifiable on this forum without the original box but it's a nice bowl and you never know.

Very much appreciated,
Martyn.

I have a raku tea bowl with a similar mark. Your photo is not quite clear enough to tell for sure, but on my screen they don't appear to be the same.
DD

Hi Daniel,

sorry for my blurry photos (it's not an easy piece to photograph) I've added a couple more below with a rough sketch of the mark just in case that helps with an ID at all.

You're right it's different from the seal on yours, which looks like a nice bowl from what I can see...thanks for sharing it...do you know who made yours?...I think we need someone to publish a 'Japanese studio potery marks dictionary'!

Martyn.

Hi,

I have yet to identify the person who made my tea bowl. But the mark has been translated as being the character for "raku". Presumably made by the Raku family, but not yet verified. It is a handsome piece with some age, and has it's original box. I've learned that these bowls are not always easy to identify. Mine may well require a trip to Japan to do so. But they are a pleasure to own in any case.
DD

Hello Martyn and Daniel,

I can contribute a little on this topic.

I too own a chawan. It was made by Keinyu Raku XI. Mine does not have the original tomobako (box). I purchased this chawan from a reputable dealer in Japan who is still in business.

From what I've learned, each of the Raku family members have/had their own distinct signature, or seal, on their pottery as yours has.

What is of paramount importance is the original tomobako which are always inscribed by the maker; it is THE provenance, document, and certificate of authenticity. Without it, a chawan can only be "attributed" to the person who's signature appears on the pottery.

The only way a Raku chawan can be certified without the original inscribed tomobako is you must apply to the current Raku, and by his approval, you may be granted a meeting at which you must present the chawan in question to him in person. Only he can certify the work as an original piece made by his family.

What's the difference? Depending on which family member you are talking about, the original inscribed tomobako or a Raku certification can increase the value 10X.

Also, don't be misled by age, recent Raku chawan are more valuable than many older generations.

Regardless of value, I am very happy with mine and hope you enjoy yours as well.

Cheers,
Michael

Yes, I emailed the Raku family in with pictures in hopes of getting an identification and was nicely and politely told that I must bring the bowl to Japan for authentication. I'm afraid the trip is not in my future. But I love the bowl, so will have to be happy with it in undocumented state.
Mine does have the box, but the identification on the box appears to be a recent addition, so I don't know if the attribution is correct. The box itself looks quite old, and the bowl shows signs of age and use as well. I posted pictures of it in the past, so I won't again but here are additional views of the bowl and box if you are interested:
http://members.cruzio.com/~danield/teabowl.jpg
These are a particular pleasure to own aren't they?
Possibly some day a friend or relative will visit Kyoto and I'll send it off with them.
DD

Aloha,
This is an old post but I thought I would ask if you wanted to sell it. I go to Japan all the time and would get it authenticated and add it to my collection.
Mahalo.
Archie

Sorry, it is long gone. It was a very nice piece.

One weird thing about your Chawan.
Why is it in Simplified Chinese Character?
Japanese Kanji should still follow the traditional character format.

"One weird thing about your Chawan.
Why is it in Simplified Chinese Character?"

No idea??...is it translateable? Does it also say "Raku"?

Michael,

thanks for your input, I knew the box was paramount and pestered the auctioneer to hunt it down for me when I bought the bowl but without luck. A trip to Japan to have it fully authenticated would be nice but I suspect would'nt make sound finacial sense for the sake of this bowl alone......unless someone thinks otherwise.....

I like my bowl and have it on display, if you and Daniel would like to donate yours to my collection I think the three would look great together (just kidding)

Many thanks,
Martyn.

I have what looks to be an identical bowl to that of Martyn's with what looks to be the same marking. Photos are > 500 KB so can't post.

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