American Raku
History
Raku ware was started by Chôjirô, the forebear of the Raku family during the Momoyama period in the mid 16th century. Traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, rakuware (raku-yaki) is a famous type of Japanese pottery. This art form was highly appreciated by tea masters for the purity and unpretentiousness of the objects, especially chawan tea bowls. With a history stretching back to 1580, rakuware remains today the most sought after of Japanese ceramics, and an unparalleled example of wabi-sabi aesthetics.