NO NONSENSE

I had this teabowl with me, on the desk the other day, late at night looking it over and studying the form, surface and foot and when I turned it over, I decided to take this quick and impromptu photo. As you can see, this kodai is the absolute definition of no nonsense, the basic meat and potatoes executed in rather quick, crisp and clean cuts making for a purposeful and effective foot. Truthfully, the entire piece from mouth, form and foot are all rather simply thrown and conceived out of a rather pleasant, off white stoneware clay instead allowing the semi-exotic machinations of the "shark-skin Shino" to become the focus of the chawan. Robust in scale and nature this chawan by Kato Yoshiaki, a Tokoname potter is a tactile tour de force with every turn of the bowl bringing even more texture filling the senses and despite its simple, almost perfunctory form it is quite a visual handful imbued with purpose and sincerity. As you look at the kodai and its crisp cuts, the wider base fits the strength of the form and creates a definite stability that sets both user and viewer at ease. The sharp tool marks around the exterior and interior of the bowl remind me of some ancient, Neolithic designs, devices that everyone can easily relate to on a chawan that is as much about pleasing all of the senses as it is about bringing the mind along for a journey the is filled with function and ceremony.