Prior to visiting Japan I never realized just how “imperfect” a great tea bowl is. I’d seen plenty of photos of famous chawan, but 2 dimensional pictures don’t properly capture the character of these three dimensional objects. My visit to Mingeikan was enlightening in this regard- the tea bowls on display had sloped rims, dripping glazes, and balanced natures that seemed to highlight gravity. They were stunning.

I spent a great deal of time after my visit to Mingeikan looking for the perfect “imperfect” tea bowl. This turned out to be quite difficult. It’s easy to find a good tea bowl. It’s challenging to find one that’s great.

When I finally found this one, I was drawn to it immediately. It’s natural form is complemented by an earthy glaze, unconsciously applied by an anonymous craftsman. The Kintsugi repair is wonderfully done, and serves as evidence of time and the owner’s appreciation for the object.

A silk bag and a wooden box is included.