HARMONY

I know I use the term classic rather frequently but I think it certainly applies to this Kawai-mon covered box by Kawai Takeichi. Building off the Mingei movement, this molded covered box form has been thoughtfully designed for use with the top of the piece projecting out over the walls making it easy to use and pick up, a bit like a hidden, ergonomic handle. Made of a porous stoneware clay, the pot is covered in a white glaze that has a slightly pearl effect across the surface and is classically decorated using iron, cobalt and copper to articulate the top of the box and center of each side panel with just the right amount of design. This flower design was commonly used by Takeichi on plates, bowls, vases and boxes where less is more and strikes the perfect balance between the (Kyoto) aesthetic and utilitarian form. Though the Kawai school steps just outside the stricter guidance of the Mingei movement, it is clear that like his mentor, Kawai Takeichi took the maxim, “beauty born of use” quite literally in his need to secure function, form and decoration acting in harmony.