OFF-WHITE PURITY

I was looking through some images that I have transferred from 35mm slides to digital images and came across this particular photo the other day. I have to say that though we have been to the Kawai Kanjiro memorial Museum in Kyoto quite a few times, this photo was taken on our very first trip there which was one of the main reasons for our time in Kyoto. Like many of the pots and objects scattered about the house, you can almost reach out and touch the pieces, really getting a measure of the dimension and volume of each pot but it is the presence of the pot that really hits you standing right in front of it. I remember thinking at the time that this form was just perfect, streamlined, noble and honest in its simplicity with this surface of a slightly off-white purity acting as canvas for a wonderful Kawai Kanjiro motif that was just timeless and spontaneous in its execution. It will sound odd but it was rather emotional standing within all of these profound pots and though I have taken quite a few pictures at the museum since our first visit, this photo always brings me back to that very first trip and the moment I came face to face with this most ideal pot. Even now I am reminded of the Kawai line from one of his poems; "What a wonderful now. It is surely eternity." and when I look through these photos I believe I am transported to the now, even momentarily and the memories and atmosphere are brought back to life, how could they not.