RAKU WARE

Kotohogi,  ‘言祝ぎ’ in Japanese inscription, literally means ‘to celebrate through words’.  At the beginning of the year, when we say ‘Akemashite omedetō’ , meaning ‘Happy New Year’,we express gratitude for the year that has passed and hope for the year to come.
The concept of kotohogi also manifests in emblems. The pine tree, for example, holds a special meaning in celebratory contexts. Its evergreen colour, which endures unchanged through countless years, symbolises longevity and prosperity. New Year decorations such as kadomatsu or pine ornaments are physical expressions of kotohogi, transforming words of blessing into visible ‘emblems’. In this way, kotohogi connects ‘words’ to ‘forms’.
This exhibition showcases the spirit of kotohogi as expressed by successive generations of the Raku family. Through titles, forms, motifs, and designs, each work embodies a sense of celebration and auspiciousness.
We invite you to appreciate the gentle and refined expressions of kotohogi unique to Raku ware.