raku

[ rah-koo ]

noun

1. a thick-walled, rough, dark lead-glazed Japanese earthenware used in the tea ceremony.

Word History and Origins

Origin of raku¹

1870–75; < Japanese raku ( -yaki ) “pleasure” glaze, originated by Chōjirō of Kyoto, who was given the seal-stamp with the character “pleasure” from Hideyoshi as an artisan-household designation

Example Sentences

In her studio, Lee has placed her kilns and pottery wheel and tried alternative firing techniques such as raku and pit firing.

From Los Angeles Times

For travelers hoping for a sportier trip, head northwest a couple of hours to Niseko and book a stay at Raku Suisan, an intimate ryokan at the foot of four of the town’s famed ski resorts.

From New York Times

Earlier in the day, the first lady met with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s wife, Mariko Suga, at the Imperial Palace for a cultural event that featured a Koju Raku Incense Workshop and host in a pale yellow kimono.

From Washington Times

Dear Miss Manners: I bought a beautiful shallow raku dish for a friend.

From Washington Post

The siblings aspired to a level of cooking for which they would “travel to eat,” says Aki, who left the software industry to go into business with Ken, the former executive sous-chef for three Washington-area Raku restaurants.

From Washington Post