Raku Family LineageActive Today
楽家歴代 (Raku-ke rekidai)
About
Complete 16-generation Raku pottery lineage from Chōjirō to present — techniques, philosophy, Senke ties, and connoisseurship
Lineage(16)
I代Chōjirō(長次郎)
? – 1589Founder; pure wabi bowls; no decoration
II代Jōkei(常慶)
1561 – 1635Established family; introduced foot ring
III代Dōnyū(道入)
1599 – 1656"Nonkō"; dramatic glazes; expanded styles
IV代Ichinyu(一入)
1640 – 1696Refined quiet style
V代Sōnyū(宗入)
1664 – 1716Returned to Chōjirō's austere spirit
VI代Sanyu(左入)
1685 – 1739Created 200 bowls based on Koetsu
VII代Chōnyū(長入)
1714 – 1770Prolific; elegant style
VIII代Tokunyu(得入)
1745 – 1774Died young at 29
IX代Ryōnyū(了入)
1756 – 1834Revolutionary; transformed technique
X代Tannyu(旦入)
1795 – 1854Son of Ryōnyū; refined father's innovations
XI代Keinyu(慶入)
1817 – 1902Meiji era; longest tenure (70 years)
XII代Kōnyu(弘入)
1857 – 1932Stabilized family through modernization
XIII代Seinyu(惺入)
1887 – 1944Wartime era
XIV代Kakunyu(覚入)
1918 – 1980Post-war revival
XV代Jikunyu(直入)
1949 – Retired 2019; avant-garde innovations
XVI代Kichizaemon XVI(吉左衛門)
1981 – Current head (from 2019)