“The Story of Donyuu”
Donyuu (commonly known as Nonko, 1599–1656), the third-generation master of the Raku family, was a distinguished potter who inherited the Raku ware tradition established by Sen no Rikyu while introducing a new aesthetic sensibility. He was the eldest son of Jokei, and his given name was Kichibei. The name “Nonko” is said to have originated from a bamboo flower vase inscribed “Nonko” that was presented to him by Sotan.
Donyuu’s tea bowls are characterized by their thin construction and graceful, expansive forms, in contrast to the heavy and introspective style of early Raku ware. Rounded contours, broad interiors, relatively small foot rings, and lustrous jet-black glaze are among the defining features of his works. In addition, he actively employed highly decorative glazing techniques such as maku-gusuri (flowing curtain-like glaze) and kinuke or kihage effects, in which areas of yellow glaze are intentionally exposed. These developments are thought to have been made possible through improvements in kiln technology and higher firing temperatures.
Responding to the spirit of a new age, Donyuu introduced bold decorative qualities into Raku tea bowls, expressing a brighter and lighter artistic individuality. Alongside Chojiro, he profoundly influenced subsequent generations of the Raku family, and it is no exaggeration to say that many of the fundamental techniques of later Raku ware were established through his innovations. In particular, the expressive use of kihage glaze was later inherited and widely employed by the eleventh-generation master Keinyu (1817–1902) and the twelfth-generation master Konyu (1857–1932).
“Aoyama” is one of the celebrated “Kaga Seven Nonko Tea Bowls” (Nonko Kaga Shichishu). The bowl received its name from Aoyama Shogen, chief retainer of the Maeda clan of Kaga, who once owned it.
The bowl is delicately thin in construction, with a clam-shell-shaped rim (hamaguriba), a broad interior, and a rounded carving within the foot ring that clearly reflects Donyuu’s distinctive style.
Furthermore, against the deep black glaze, areas of exposed yellow glaze appear on the front surface, creating a striking decorative effect. This masterpiece beautifully embodies Donyuu’s refined sense of form and rich glazing aesthetics.
The photo below shows a reproduction work by 3rd Sasaki Shoraku born in Kyoto in 1944.
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