This red Raku tea bowl by Raku Ryōnyū IX, titled Daiyūhō (“Great Peak”), belongs to an important commemorative series of 200 red Raku tea bowls produced by Ryōnyū in the years leading up to 1789, created to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Chōjirō, founder of the Raku tradition. While the anniversary year allows the work to be dated with unusual precision, production likely began slightly earlier, making this bowl a rare example securely anchored to a specific historical moment.
Hand-molded in the traditional Raku method, the bowl exemplifies Ryōnyū’s early stylistic phase, characterized by large scale, thick construction, and a commanding physical presence approaching the maximum size suitable for a tea bowl. Bold vertical trimming marks powerfully articulate the body, while horizontal spatula marks remain visible near the foot, emphasizing the bowl’s dynamic, hand-worked character. The clay body is coated with a yellow slip beneath a transparent glaze, producing a vivid, textured red surface after firing.
The bowl bears a large Kansei-era Raku seal, specially used for this commemorative production, further confirming its date and significance. As part of this historically important series, the work stands as a compelling example of Ryōnyū’s formative approach and his role in reaffirming and advancing the Raku lineage.
