Raku: The Cosmos in a Tea Bowl
Exhibition to be held at the two major Russian museums
The State Hermitage Museum and The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts from July.

June 18, 2015

The Japan Foundation and the Raku Museum jointly organize Raku: The Cosmos in a Tea Bowl at two major Russian museums, the Hermitage Museum and the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts from July. The exhibition has received many good reviews while being held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art held between March and June this year.

At the exhibitions in Russia, Important Cultural Properties, including Ch?jir?’s Two-colour glazed lion sculpture (Raku Museum), Black Raku tea bowl named Mukiguri (Agency for Cultural Affairs) and Red Raku tea bowl named Muichibutsu (Egawa Museum of Art) are shown. Featuring work by past Raku masters and by the brilliant Hon’ami K?etsu, a close associate, as well as the wide-ranging activities (not limited to ceramics) of the current master Raku Kichizaemon XV and pieces by his son Atsundo, the future family head, this exhibition is a comprehensive survey of the unique aesthetic and philosophical realm of Raku ware, providing fascinating glimpses into each of the eras it covers. In addition, finely decorative paintings, including Scenes in and around Kyoto, are shown, to present the period background of founding Raku ware.

This exhibition presents approximately 170 works, from the serene, monochromatic tea bowls of founder Ch?jir?, which most directly reflect the wabi tea ceremony ideals of legendary tea master Sen no Riky?, to the strikingly original innovations of the current Raku master as well as the paintings from the same period. We are confident that this first full-fledged show of Raku ceramics in the Russia will draw much attention and acclaim.

Contact

Contact in Japan
The Japan Foundation, Arts and Culture Dept. Ohira (Mr.), Mori (Ms.)
Tel: +81-(0)3-5369-6063 Fax: +81-(0)3-5369-6038
E-mail: arts2@jpf.go.jp
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Press Contact
Taira (Ms.) (Taira Masako Press Office)
Tel: +81-(0)90-1149-1111 Fax: +81-(0)3-3468-8367
E-mail: kikin@tmpress.jp
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