Tea Bowl, named ‘Ayame’, Raku ware, By Chojiro, Momoyama period, 16th century. H.8.9 MD.10.2 BD.4.6 ©2014 MOA MUSEUM OF ART

Raku tea bowls made by Chōjirō reflect the ideals of Sen-no-Rikyū and have features that are truly Japanese in character. This piece, named Ayame, is a masterpiece by Chōjirō. The matte black glaze covering the entire bowl has spots of a blackish-brown hue called kase, giving the bowl a quiet refinement. The mouth rim bends inward and the body has a slight groove around the waist. The bowl is said to have been used by Rikyū at a tea ceremony held in 1587. It was owned by Sōtan, who wrote inscriptions on the box containing the work.