Raku

See also: raku

English

Etymology 1

Raku chawan (“tea bowl”), c. 1810–1838

From Japanese 楽 (raku, “fun, delightful”). A seal engraved with this word was marked on the early pieces. It was the title and seal used by 15 generations of potters.

Alternative forms

• raku

Proper noun

Raku

1. (ceramics) A style of Japanese pottery, considered the traditional style for the pottery used in the Japanese tea ceremony; (especially capitalised) such pottery made by the Raku family.
   • 1968, Daniel Rhodes, Kilns: Design, Construction and Operation‎^[1], page 180:

     Raku bowls are of two types. The red Raku is made from a reddish earthenware clay and is glazed with a lead glaze.

   • 1989, Chanoyu Quarterly, number 58, page 38:

     Koetsu learned the technique of Raku pottery from the Raku potter Kichizaemon Jokei (1561-1635) and his son Nonko (aka Donyu; 1599-1656), who also had the name Kichibei.

   • 2010, John Mathieson, Techniques Using Slips, Chapter 6: Slips and Raku, page 53,

     As a technique, raku seems to encourage experimentation.

2. The English transliteration of a Japanese surname; specifically, that of the family traditionally licensed to manufacture the pottery.

Derived terms

• rakuware

Further reading

• raku ware on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Etymology 2

Probably a clipping of rakudo, the standard compiler, from Japanese 駱駝 (rakuda, “camel”), an allusion to the traditional symbol of the Perl language.

Proper noun

Raku

1. (computer languages) A programming language derived from Perl.
   • 2020, Moritz Lenz, Raku Fundamentals, 2nd edition, Apress, →ISBN, page 1:

     Many programming paradigms have influenced Raku. It has started its life under the name “Perl 6” but has been renamed in 2019 to break the illusion that it is just another version of Perl.

Anagrams

• Kaur, Kura, urka