Japan Creative Centre (JCC) and Studio Miu jointly present a special exhibition celebrating the artistry of two ceramic masters – Honiwa Rakunyu III and Yoshimura Rakunyu III, each representing the contrasting styles of Shigaraki and Raku ceramics from Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture and Kyoto respectively, yet united by a profound dedication to creating tea ceramics that harmonise exceptional craftsmanship with refined aesthetic sensibilities.

This exhibition presents ceramics founded on such shared philosophy, highlighting both the artistic beauty and the functional purpose of tea culture. Shigaraki ceramics is known for its rustic, high-fired character, with natural ash effects and fire-induced coloration, while Raku ceramics is characterised by its soft textures and fascinating color variations. Come enjoy this unique collaboration between the two contrasting styles at JCC. Tea ceremonies using ceramics made by both artists will also be held daily throughout the exhibition period.

This exhibition is part of the official celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan (SJ60).

Born in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, in 1965, Honiwa Rakunyu III is the third-generation master of the Rakunyu–Kochugama kiln. After apprenticing under Honiwa Rakunyu II from 1990, he formally succeeded to the Rakunyu name in 2002 upon receiving a ceramic seal from the Chief Abbot of Daitoku-ji Temple.

In the same year, he built a traditional anagama wood-fired kiln, reaffirming his commitment to Shigaraki's earliest ceramic traditions while exploring the ever-evolving aesthetics of modern Japanese tea utensils. His works have been featured in solo exhibitions at Takashimaya galleries across Japan, including an exhibition commemorating his 60th birthday in Kyoto in 2025.

With a history spanning over 1,200 years, Shigaraki is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns and is renowned for its expressive, wood-fired tea ceramics. The Rakunyu–Kochugama lineage has long been dedicated to preserving this tradition, combining the rustic beauty of natural ash effects and unglazed surfaces with the refined aesthetics of the tea ceremony. Continuing this legacy, Honiwa Rakunyu III creates works that honour Shigaraki's historic heritage while offering a contemporary interpretation of its timeless spirit.

Born in Kyoto in 1959, Yoshimura Rakunyu III is the third-generation of the Yoshimura linage and the second-generation master of the Rakunyu Kiln, carrying forward a distinguished family legacy in Raku ceramics. Following his studies at Doshisha University, he undertook formal training at the Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute and the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Training School before apprenticing under his father. In 2004, he inherited the Rakunyu name, continuing a practice deeply connected to the Japanese tea ceremony while expanding its contemporary expression.

Recognised as a Traditional Craftsman of Japan in 2001, he was later named "Future Master Artisan" by the City of Kyoto and received the Kyoto Prefecture Outstanding Traditional Industry Artisan Award in 2022. Alongside his studio practice, Yoshimura is an active educator and leader in Kyoto's ceramic community.

Originating in 16th-century Kyoto under the influence of tea master Sen no Rikyū, Raku ceramics is one of Japan's most revered ceramic traditions. Hand-built and fired using the distinctive hikidashi-yaki technique, in which each vessel is removed from the kiln while still incandescent, Raku embodies the ideals of wabi and the simplicity central to the Japanese tea ceremony. The Yoshimura family's ceramic heritage traces back to the mid-Meiji period and has evolved over generations into a practice devoted to Raku ceramics and tea utensils, honouring the enduring traditions of Aka-Raku (red) and Kuro-Raku (black) while exploring new artistic possibilities today.

Is this your first time to Japan Creative Centre? Follow the map below to Japan Creative Centre now.

Getting to Japan Creative Centre
4 Nassim Road Singapore 258372
Tel: +65-6737-0434

By Public Bus:
Bus services: 7, 36, 77, 105, 106, 111, 123, 132, 174, 174E, 502, 502A, 502B (Alight in front of Delfi Orchard)
For latest information on bus routes and fares, please refer to SBS Transit.

By the MRT:
You may also take the MRT to the nearest MRT station, Orchard (NS22).
Train fares, travel times and route maps are available on the SMRT website.

Driving to JCC:
Nearest parking is at Orchard Hotel, Delfi Orchard and Orchard Rendezvous Hotel.