Despite
the fact that I keep posting up pictures of teabowls and other Japanese
"inspired" pots, at my core I am a rather practical, functional
potter. I like the concept of everyday use and function and find it a rather
significant motivator on most days though there are times that I just like to
see what else can be done with a vase, a covered piece or a bowl. This temmoku
bowl with side lugs and an overall rain pattern around the top and bottom of
the bowl is not one of those pieces, rather it is rooted in function. The
indented, depressed channel that surrounds the pot breaks up the continuity of
the form as well as the decoration making for a visual focal point to the piece
and serving a function in aiding in picking up the bowl while wearing oven
mitts if deemed necessary. This is a rather basic bowl, meant for a modest
amount of content and perched on a rather wide, stable foot which is designed
for a typical "nuclear" family or a small get together as it will
likely hold enough for six people unless one has invited your local sumo stable
to dinner in which case I suggest one, possibly two of these for each guest. You
can see the basic origins of these bowl forms by checking out this previous
blog post https://albedo3studio.blogspot.com/2016/06/cross-cultural.html