RAKU WARE

Preserving tradition and connecting it to creativity.
History advances through a careful balance of tradition and innovation.
Among those who have upheld tradition are families who have carried on bloodlines and born the responsibilities of succession.

The Raku family of Kyoto stands as a remarkable example. For over four and a half centuries, successive generations have practiced isshi sōden—the exclusive transmission of artistic knowledge and technique to a single heir who inherits the family’s entire legacy. Each successor has single-handedly carried out the full ceramic-making process, with no apprentices or division of labour — a practice that strikingly parallels the modern notion of the individual artist.

Yet this 450-year history has not been without challenges. At times, the line nearly ended. Some generations saw no sons born, leading to the adoption of heirs or the succession of a younger brother in place of an ailing elder. Fathers and sons, mothers, daughters, and siblings have all played vital roles in sustaining the tradition, each contributing in their own way to ensure its continuation.

The Raku Museum houses not only the works of successive family heads but also those created by family members who supported and sustained the tradition of isshi-sōden, helping to bridge transitions between generations. These pieces bear silent witness to the deep familial bonds and emotional devotion shared within the family.

This exhibition traces the legacy of isshi sōden, with a special focus on the unsung heroes who, often working behind the scenes, quietly upheld and carried the tradition forward through their resilience and dedicated efforts.