Shōraku 昭楽 - Aka-raku Komachi Red Raku Chawan

This Aka-raku chawan (matcha bowl) is a replica (写 - utsushi) of Komachi (小町): a 17th century bowl made by Dōnyū (道入), the 3rd Generation of the Raku family who is also known as Nonkō. Like the original, it has a straight-walled half-cylindrical shape with vertical faceting or mentori (面取り)  Handbuilt from Shoraku's lightweight red clay blend and coated with a translucent glaze that allows the clay's colour to shine through, each chawan is then fired individually at around 800C. Made by Sasaki Shōraku (佐々木昭楽) of Shōraku Kiln (昭楽窯). This is the same Sasaki Shōraku that produces work signed (松楽), which is also read as Shōraku. Works stamped (松楽 - Shōraku) are more entry grade, whereas works stamped (昭楽 - Shōraku) are of a higher quality. The current kiln is located in Kameoka, Kyōto and was built in 1944. That same year, Sasaki Shōraku was born, and after studying under his father, he became Shouraku III: the third generation to carry the title. His work emulates the early raku wares of