There
are a large number of pots, both Eastern and Western that make me think of the
Rosanjin concept that a pot is complete when it is being used. There is beauty
in use as can be seen in this photo from a catalogue on the late Bizen Ningen
Kokuho, Fujiwara Yu (1932-2001) as the magnificent color of the rectangular
tray is made all the richer with the red crab and green garnish. The light
coating of ash highlights the edges and corner while the potent fire color has
painted the tray for with captivating tones of reddish-orange and purples spotted with drops
of charcoal grey and even blues. I can imagine this is a striking piece without
the window dressing but it is in its use that this tray really comes to life
and fufills the purpose and aesthetic that it was created for. As Yanagi put
it, beauty born of use but in this case it is the beauty in use that tells the
fullest story.
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