Raku Family Residence Clay Shed

Raku Family Residence Clay Shed: Where Every Bowl Begins

The Raku Family Residence Clay Shed (樂家住宅土小屋, Raku-ke jūtaku tsuchigoya) is a small single-storey timber shed in the north-west corner of the Raku potters' compound in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, used to store the clay for making pottery; it is dated to the early Meiji period and was registered as Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2007.

It measures 2 and a half bays by 1 and a half bays, with a building area of 18 square metres, and has a gabled slate roof on a brick foundation.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Meiji period; the Raku Museum dates the rebuilding of the family house to 1855.

Why It Was Registered

The Raku Family Residence Clay Shed was listed for its contribution to the historic landscape. The Agency admits it is small and plain, but calls it an important building for pottery-making and part of what gives the site the look of a working ceramics studio.

It is unusual to see a shed for potting clay listed in its own right among the buildings of a family house. Together with the kiln house and the main storehouse, it marks the back of the lot as a workshop.

Inside: A Clay Store and a Pounding Floor

The shed is divided into two parts: a store where clay is kept, and a floor where it is pounded and worked until it is ready to use.

Raku bowls are shaped by hand, without a wheel, and it all starts with the clay that passes through this corner of the yard. The kiln house is only steps away, so preparing the clay and firing the bowls happen close together.

The roof material stands out. The main house and kiln house carry clay pantiles and the storehouses heavy round-and-flat tiles, but the Raku Family Residence Clay Shed is roofed in slate, on footings of brick. Both materials became common in the modern period, which may point to later repairs, though no source gives a date.

Seeing the Clay Shed

The Raku Family Residence Clay Shed stands in the far corner of the grounds and cannot be seen from the street. It is part of the family's private studio and is not open.

Directions to the house and the Raku Museum next door are on the Raku Family Residence page.