rdl wrote:i think the consensus about the boxes chip received is that of disapproval, however one wants to view the seller.
but it brought up many interesting posts about collecting tea ware and perceptions and expectations, both objective and subjective.
this new topic i find very interesting. simply put: why do we buy what we buy? and what is it we buy? clay made beautiful or a whole package of perceptions? not that this hasn't been addressed before, but the replies here tie in the teaware, artist, box, the level of quality of the piece, who is selling it, the purpose (to use or as collectable). and how the perception changes if some fact about the tea ware changes. for example, the tea ware is authentic but the box is not. or the piece thought to be a high quality piece is found to be a production piece. how would that alter a tea ware if that situation occured to you?
there are too many possibilities to list but i would like to hear the different thoughts out there.
i think collecting goes beyond just the aesthetic factor, although that may be a major factor. but the posts have brought out these other factors that add nuance to collecting and appreciating tea ware.
I own so much teaware I can't say I don't collect, however, there's nothing I've purchased, regardless of artist or price, that I haven't used. Nothing is purchased specifically for display. I have recently packed up and stored about 40% of my tea and sake ware mainly because I ran out of cabinet space. All of these were used but some I've got tired of so may never use again. These items are still very decent, high-quality items so often if I doubt I'll use them again, and they're nothing I will miss, I give them away. The rest will probably be rotated in and out of storage every so often.
When I started drinking tea regularly about 3 years ago, I just threw the leaves in a cup. I was drinking it not as a hobby and not particularly for enjoyment, but more because it was better for us than Coke or Pepsi. When I graduated to high-quality tea, my interest in teaware greatly increased. I found that carefully chosen teaware (or sakeware, tableware, beer glasses, etc.) greatly enhanced my enjoyment. Since I was drinking so much tea, I might as well turn it into the most enjoyable experience I can.
I agree that until we use something, we can't really judge it. Some of the items I disliked the most when I first received them have become my favorites. One Japanese vendor of matcha chawan was extremely pleased when he found out I actuallyt use all the chawans I purchased from him. He said most of his customers put them on a shelf and never use them. He asked for a picture of my chawan shelf, but I don't have one. I keep them in a cabinet so they won't get knocked off. It would be nice to display some of them, but to me it's more important to actually use them.
To clarify, I would not give my niece a Koji Kamada teacup to drink from as it would likely get broken. I would use these myself or with an adult who understands the value of these items. Any other guest would be served in lesser tea and sake ware. The last thing I'd want is a toast by drunken guests with my Koji Kamada Tenmoku sakazuki; could be a very expensive toast!
I use Chinese and Taiwanese teaware interchangeably for tea from those countries. I use Japanese teaware for Japanese tea. That's just my preference. Although some of the American-made pottery seen on this site looks great, I've never bought any. Again, that's just my personal choice to keep the tea and teaware from the same country.
As for the teaware, box, overall quality issues I usually only purchase from known, reliable vendors. Buying direct from Japan and real Japanese sellers has really elimminated any problems with quality. I am much more careful when looking for vendors of Chinese teaware. I have found two great mainland vendors, but so far I'm lucky.
Another quality issue I have noticed is that for example, a Kushan yunomi from one vendor is 1/3 to 1/2 the price of the same artist's work sold by another vendor. Seems like a good deal to many, but a closer look usually reveals there's a reason for the lower price. There's nothing wrong with the lower-priced product, but it's not of the same overall quality as the higher-priced one. It is a good deal for someone who doesn't want to pay for an exhibition piece. I personally prefer to pay the higher price for the better piece. Even if I don't fully appreciate the difference now, I may later.
If there's any advice I'd give to a newcomer, it would be about the money I've wasted with this hobby by not buying higher quality items from the start. "Buy less, but buy better quality to begin with." Buying many moderately priced items can quickly add up to the price of a superior, much more expensive item that will hold it's value better and may also be more enjoyable to use. Just don't drop it!
. So little ole' naieve me is expecting this venerable potter to talk about unbelieveable aesthetic standards as the driving problem in this situation (they certainly were nice chawan) .... when he simply tells me " If I make and sell too many, the price drops."
.
