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One of the Finest Examples of Japanese Tea Bowls Reflecting Sen Rikyū’s Ideal of Wabi-cha

About 450 years ago, Chōjirō, the first generation of the Raku family, created a new style of tea bowl — the Raku tea bowl — to embody Sen Rikyū’s aesthetic philosophy of wabi-cha, which continues to inspire admiration in Japan and around the world for its profound spiritual qualities.

Since its founding, the Raku family has continued through sixteen generations, each producing new tea bowls dedicated to the practice of chanoyu (the Way of Tea).

Adjacent to the Raku family residence stands the Raku Museum, which houses approximately 1,300 works, including successive generations’ tea bowls, tea utensils, fine art objects, and historical documents handed down through the Raku lineage. Three exhibitions are held annually, each exploring the charm and history of Raku ware and the generations of the Raku family from a unique perspective.

In addition to viewing works through glass showcases, visitors can attend seasonal tea gatherings, such as the Suigetsu Sekka no Chakai, using Raku ware tea bowls selected according to the season and pieces from the collection. (Reservations required. Please refer to the official website for details.)

The Raku family has long preserved exemplary works as models for future generations. Drawing inspiration from these masterpieces, each generation has cultivated its own artistic expression and created original works.

The Raku Museum offers a rare opportunity to experience both the creativity and the 450-year tradition of Raku ware.