tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214141237152702131.post4253566431017164602..comments2021-07-27T07:39:37.462-04:00Comments on Dawan, Chawan, Chassabal: An Older Korean Buncheong ChawanCho Hakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798639210955177212noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214141237152702131.post-31111077836219554142015-04-02T20:29:41.960-04:002015-04-02T20:29:41.960-04:00Dear Arthur,
One of the overlooked aspects of tea...Dear Arthur,<br /><br />One of the overlooked aspects of tea ware is the importance of the commissure. Tens of thousands of bowls like Kizaemon were made, but the only one we are aware of is the Kizaemon recognized by the tea masters. It doesn't mean more were not made, only that, because the farmer who made them did not see them the way the tea masters did, it were most likely used every day, broken and thrown in the garbage heap. One of the big advantages we have in modern times, is that because of the middle class and relative wealth, the pottery maker and the connoisseur can exist in one person. I studied for 7 years to be a Zen priest before becoming a potter with Dainin Katagiri Roshi. The whole point of Zen practice is to return to "original mind." We can connect with the primordial source. The most important factor in doing so, is to recognize the possibility and have the intention to do so.<br /><br />I have seen and also held Ido bowls in possession of tea masters in Japan. None of them approached the beauty of Kizaemon. Even within the Ido bowls, there are treasures and klunkers.<br /><br />Hope to see you in Mungyeong this spring!Togeikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03718418401458480928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214141237152702131.post-9418538900421859252013-10-13T20:27:38.063-04:002013-10-13T20:27:38.063-04:00The quote is from my personal notes taken while st...The quote is from my personal notes taken while studying with Hamada in 1963. <br />Hamada was talking about the overall character of the Korean people compared with the Japanese people. Koreans in general are more ‘robust’ in character. While it is true that, “not every individual conforms to the society he is born into”, I don’t think Zen injected much ‘freedom’ into Japan’s tight society. Peace, Yes, openness to experiences, Yes, relaxation, Yes but that innate true freedom and ‘janggi’ spirit that more Koreans chawan artists seem to have historically and many still possess not so much. Yanagi also talked about it. This is not to say that I haven’t experienced that spirit in some Japanese ceramic artists once they relax and let their ‘hair down‘ but even then when it comes to creating a truly ‘free‘ chawan it is very difficult. This example in that respect also fails in that attempt. It is no match for the Kizaemon. <br />I’m very curious where you found that quote from Hamada in print. Cho Hakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04798639210955177212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214141237152702131.post-80762418334215164322013-10-13T08:56:34.010-04:002013-10-13T08:56:34.010-04:00I found it! Arthur quoted him. Arthur, what tim...I found it! Arthur quoted him. Arthur, what time period were you in Mashiko?Togeikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03718418401458480928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214141237152702131.post-20375905987664849942013-10-13T08:54:03.982-04:002013-10-13T08:54:03.982-04:00Theo, do you know where this Hamada quote comes fr...Theo, do you know where this Hamada quote comes from? I partially agree. But not every individual conforms to the society he is born into. Zen practice is an attempt to inject freedom into a "tight" society.Togeikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03718418401458480928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214141237152702131.post-65573758557594203532012-02-24T11:40:35.881-05:002012-02-24T11:40:35.881-05:00Hi Arthur,
I'm honored to be the first to com...Hi Arthur,<br /><br />I'm honored to be the first to comment here. One Korean collector I met with in Beijing told me that while he thought Korean ceramics was crude at first glance, the more you look at a piece and use it, the more attracted you are to it. His and Hamada Shoji's statement "You cant make loose work in a tight society" are both pointing at something that is very interesting. While this dawan has many flaws, it perfectly displays that unique humility and seemingly unintentional charm which I feel is a defining characteristic in Korean ceramics and what draws me to it.<br /><br />TheoTheohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00668893102767007663noreply@blogger.com